by Jerry Senn
As the great apostle Paul wrote to his beloved Timothy, a son in the faith, he knew his own life would end very soon at the hands of the tyrant Nero. His words were not only meant to complement and encourage Timothy but to say, “what’s going on now will never end” until Christ returns; humanity will continually reject God and His Son Jesus.
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 23:1-5, ESV).
Satan’s powerful grip on hearts and minds will never change. However, Paul challenges Timothy (and us) to maintain a strong level of trust in Christ Jesus and by avoiding “such people” (v 5b).
“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings…Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:10-16, ESV). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:25, ESV)
Trust it, love it, obey it, and eternal life is yours !!!