Difficult Times Ahead

Beyond the Present Time
Resurrection Hope
Hope in the Day of the Lord

2 Timothy 3:1-9

The Message

Difficult Times Ahead

3 ^1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.

^6-9 These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn. These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres, who challenged Moses. They were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself. But nothing will come of these latest impostors. Everyone will see through them, just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax. 

For Reflection

Are the times now so very different?  Well the end has not yet arrived.  However, the end of self-absorbed profane and vulgar life styles has arrived.  All one has to do is decide that he or she will live a God centered rather than culture centered life.  That's it!  No magic potions. No mumbo jumbo!  No need for preservation of one's former life.  All one needs is found in the life of Christ. 

Pray

for the courage to participate in God's counter culture.  Pray for the wisdom to listen to the Holy Spirit as He directs you into a life transformed in Christ.