Tag: terrible times
The godly will suffer persecution!
Scripture reading for October 6th: 2nd Timothy 3
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2nd Timothy 3:1-5) Paul impressed on Timothy and upon us the coming difficult times. These times would be difficult because of the rising rebellion against God and godliness. Some of this would come from those calling themselves ‘Christians’ but living like the world. Sin would abound and believers must live holy lives in spite of the culture of rampant rebellion. They must separate from those in the church who have only a form of godliness but live without power.
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings–. . Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2nd Timothy 3:10-13) Paul pointed to his own life and present experience of suffering in jail to remind Timothy and us that the godly will suffer persecution. This would increase in the last days and believers and ministers should prepare themselves and the church to stand firm. Jesus Christ would rescue them and promises ultimate victory!
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2nd Timothy 3:16-17) The word of God was the primary instrument to equip the minister and the church!
Equipped to serve!
Scripture reading for October 24th: 2nd Timothy 2:22-3:17
The last days would be full of trouble and terrible times for Christians. Idolatry and godlessness would abound and selfishness would bring great violence and sin to the earth. People would become lovers of pleasure and reject God as the supreme lover. Even the church would be affected by those with just a form of godliness but no real power to live a holy life. (2nd Timothy 3:1-5) False teachers would also arise and oppose the truth of the Gospel and those who were faithfully preaching it. Those living godly in Christ Jesus would suffer persecution. (2nd Timothy 3:12)
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. . . And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2nd Timothy 2:22, 24-26) Pastor Timothy must actively pursue God through prayer and the word. The character of Christ will then enable him to effectively reach out to those who are opposing him. All men are important to God and God wants them all saved. (1st Timothy 2:4-5) Satan is the one who is blinding them and has taken them captive to do his will. The Gospel message, when presented with a loving spirit, will effectively break the bondage of the devil’s trap!
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2nd Timothy 3:14-17) Timothy lacked nothing that he needed. He had good teachers, the Holy Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit. The word of God thoroughly equipped him for every good work! Is it working in you as well?