2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, “There will be terrible times in the last days” because people will have a “form of godliness” but deny its power.
People will say, “I'm a Christian,” but they’ll live as if God's principles, commands, promises, and warnings have no real power (Matthew 22:29).
This passage gives a number of examples, such as:
➤They’ll be “lovers of themselves.” No wonder so many people are seeking self-esteem and self-gratification instead of self-denial (Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24).
➢See Biblical Self-Esteem.
➤They’ll be “disobedient to their parents.” No wonder so many people are blaming, rejecting, or neglecting their parents instead of honoring them (Ephesians 6:2-3; Matthew 15:3-9)(1)
➢See Honoring Parents.
➤They’ll be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” No wonder so many people are denying God’s design for sexual purity (1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:3).
➢See God's View of Sex.
But those of us who love the Lord believe in God's power and purposes. Let's pray that we will be faithful to acknowledge God's power, even in the smallest details of life (Luke 16:10).
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I pray these passages will encourage you today:
1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 4:20: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."
(1) This passage addresses adults, so it may seem out of place to say they were "disobedient" to parents because adults are no longer required to obey parents. But the idea of the Greek word is a rejection of things which God prefers, so in this case it would be a rejection of God’s principles about honoring and respecting parents. As Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains, “This expresses the idea that they did not show to parents that honor, respect, and attention which was due.” Note: Children who have been physically or sexually abused by parents must seek godly Christian counsel in handling their adult relationship with their parents.
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Bible Love Notes
Hi Gail, great post. And yes, it seems the world is going crazy and nevermind just the world, us Christians too have perspectives that are truly faulty. I know this is why the Word is so important, so that we can keep coming back to the line God has drawn in the sand, and not be fuzzy with worldly logic and knowledge...
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
I don't even want to be included with those who they call "Christians" anymore. I've contemplated calling myself a Nazarene like the early church did. However, I need to look into the church of the Nazarenes as there might be some confusion! Apparently, "Christian" was a derogatory term that the Romans gave to them. Also, many Roman Catholics, are referred to and refer themselves as "Christians". But the more I delve into the traditions and pagan roots of Roman Catholicism "traditions of men" and even the residue and taking back of some of these traditions in the Protestant churches, I don't want to be identified with either of them! Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!
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