2 Timothy 3:1-5, “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 such
people.” (NIV)
How
amazing is it that the Apostle Paul penned this so long ago? This is what is going on today. People are “lovers of themselves.” Have you ever heard Burger King’s slogan,
“Have it your way?” People think very
highly of themselves in our world today.
How about the “lovers of money” part?
How many people do you know in your personal circles that are this
way? They’ll do just about anything for
money. There have been countless crimes,
divorces and suicides that have been committed because of money.
This
passage begins with “there will be terrible times in the last days.” We are living in the “last days.” Now, my dear friends, I am not making any
special predictions of when the world is coming to an end. No one knows when that will be; only the Lord
himself knows that! I am saying that we
are getting close. Some experts say that
it may be as soon as two generations from now but, keep in mind that’s a
“guess-timate.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not
need to write to you, for
you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the
night. While people are
saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor
pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (NIV)
It
is because we do not know for sure when is the “end” that we need to live each
day as if tomorrow is the end. This is
the kind of urgency the authors that penned the God-inspired New Testament Scriptures
lived their lives. Their writing
suggests the urgency in their hearts to always be ready to share the Gospel of
Christ with others, to live a God-centered life and to teach others to do the
same. 2 Timothy 2:1-7, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in
the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be
qualified to teach others. Join
with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled
in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an
athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to
the rules. The hardworking
farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord
will give you insight into all this.” (NIV)
What
does this mean then? Ephesians 4:14-16,
“No prolonged infancies among us,
please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy
mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell
it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the
source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very
breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy
in God, robust in love.” (MSG)
My dear friends, you and I as followers of the One and
Only True Living God, need to live our lives committed to the truth. That all of those that surround us in our
daily lives have no doubt that there is something different about us. That it is clearly evident that Christ lives
in us because of how we speak (always being honest), and how we respond to all
life throws at us (always reflecting Jesus’ integrity). I know that sometimes it’s easier to do this
than other times but no matter what, with no matter who, we always need to
reflect Jesus to others. The time is now
to be ready so that “at any time” we can “fearlessly make known the mystery of
the gospel,” for which we are “ambassadors in chains,” Ephesians 6:19-20
(NIV).
My dear friend, thank
you for reading this devotional. Know
that I appreciate you and am praying for you.
Thanks for passing on this blog to others! Also, I have a Facebook page for the ministry! It’s a great way to get updates on the
ministry and to the latest “Thought of the day” postings. They’re short reads
and have gotten great reviews. Come and
join by pressing “like!” on the page: www.facebook.com/ReflectingTruthMinistries God bless you!
*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of
someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com
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