Author: admin

The key to living a successful Christian life is the Scriptures. In them we find the eternal truth of God. His word never changes. The God we read about in the Bible remains the same throughout the generations. The truths we read on its pages are equally relevant in every age. And, in every period of history, the biblical truths make us wise concerning issues of salvation.

The world is filled with confusion concerning salvation. Some atheists claim we have no need for it at all. They view the concept of sin as archaic and the notion of judgment as offensive. Then there are many world religions that proclaim their own god, or religious ritual that can save people from whatever ails them. Even many self-proclaimed Christian groups have widely differing views regarding salvation. Some claim we must perform certain works to be saved. Others argue that only the elect can hope for salvation. Others argue that people can lose their salvation. Still others believe you cannot possibly know in this life whether you are saved or not. While yet others uphold that everyone will, ultimately obtain salvation, if not in this life, then in the life to come.

Salvation is a reality that ought not to be left to speculation or the most convincing proponent. It should be one thing you are absolutely certain about. That is why God gave us the Bible. If you study it carefully, you will find the wisdom of God on its pages and you will become wise in salvation.

The Church would be a mighty, powerhouse in human affairs today if only its members had faithfully followed through with what they knew God wanted them to do. Many Christians start out well. An emotional worship service . . . a profound quiet time . . . an inspiring book or Christian movie, and we resolve to live our life differently in the coming days.

But then of course, life happens. We get busy. Pressures mount. Before long those well-intentioned commitments seem unreasonable or at best, inconvenient. And we slide right back into the ordinary dissatisfying living we were experiencing before.

The veteran apostle urged Timothy to recall not only what he had learned, but how convinced he had been of its truthfulness, and who it was who taught him. We must avoid becoming like the thorny soil into which the sower cast seed. At first the seeds took root and a plant leapt forth. But the cares and worries of life soon crowded out the best of intentions, and the result was that the word of God failed to produce any lasting fruit.

Reflect on what God has been teaching you lately. Recall how certain you were at the time of the value and truth of what you had learned. Remember those who were the divine instruments to convey those truths to your life. Have you followed through? Are you seeing the fruit that results from persevering with God’s word?

At times a well-meaning friend has perhaps attempted to comfort you in your time of distress with the words, “Just think, things could be worse!” While these words may not exactly dispel the darkness from your life, they are, in fact, true. Things could, and will, get worse.

When you read the paper or watch the news, you can be appalled at the depths of evil people are willing to sink to. Greed is out of control. People will go to enormous lengths to deceive their spouse or boss or government regulators, in order to achieve momentary pleasure or gain. With new technology and social media, the possibilities for taking advantage of others is multiplying exponentially.

What does this mean for us? We must constantly be on the alert. We are not immune to subterfuge. While we might be disappointed when people attempt to deceive us, we ought never to be surprised by it. Scripture indicated that though humanity has always been this way, it will only grow worse, as the last days approach. Be aware! We live in an evil, deceptive age.

If you intend to live a trouble-free life, following Christ may not be for you! Few people have followed Christ more fervently or whole-heartedly than did the apostle Paul. Yet his life provides a litany of the numerous ways First-Century Christians could experience persecution and opposition. He was plagued by it his entire Christian life.

Not only did people disagree with Paul, they tried to kill him! They filed false charges. They incited mobs to riot against him. Rarely was someone indifferent to the apostle!

Yet Paul warned that all those who desired to live a godly life, would suffer persecution. It is inevitable. That’s because we live in an extremely ungodly world. Darkness loathes light. Wickedness despises godliness. Don’t be surprised when people take offense because you behave like Christ. Paul predicted that would happen, 2,000 years ago.

We can speak 10,000 words while trying to change someone’s beliefs or behavior, but they will amount to nothing compared to a clear, compelling example. What we do always carries more weight than what we proclaim.

Paul had said much to Timothy. However, it was his life, far more than his words, which exerted the greatest impact on the young minister. Timothy had indeed been impressed with Paul’s doctrine. But what had also affected Timothy was the apostle’s manner of life. When he saw the way Paul lived, Timothy wanted to live that way too. In addition, Paul’s purpose in life, his faith, long-suffering, love, and perseverance all played a significant role in the development of the young minister.

If the people around you were asked to list the characteristics of your life that most impressed them, what would they say? Do you live your life in a manner that attracts others to want to follow your example? What is there about your life that appeals to others? What in your life is worth modeling?

Tradition said that Jannes and his brother Jambres were Pharaoh’s magicians who opposed Moses when he sought the release of the Israelites from their Egyptian taskmasters. When Moses performed a miracle to prove he spoke on behalf of almighty God, these charlatans attempted to duplicate the divine work themselves. In time, however, it became apparent where the true power lay. All the smoke and mirrors of the royal court could not match the unparalleled power and authority at the disposal of a true servant of God.

Likewise, the world today is filled with people who loudly seek to drown out God’s word. When God proclaims His standard for the family, or morality, or business, these secular proponents shout out an alternative view. They make loud promises and ridicule God’s servants. What they lack in substance they make up for with volume and intimidation.

Yet just as these Egyptian imposters were eventually exposed, so those who oppose God will inevitably be proven to be fake as well. If you are taking a stand for Christ, don’t lose heart. You will ultimately be vindicated.

Some people seem to be constantly reading, studying, and thinking, yet never learning. They don’t grow or mature in the Christian faith.

Of course, some books are more fun to read than others! It is easy to watch a movie or to attend an entertaining lecture. It can be more challenging to engage in serious, thorough Bible study. At times we study what we want to learn, not what we need to learn. We can spout off all manner of insignificant facts and speculations that can impress the less informed. But the truth is that we are only bolstering what we already believe, but we are not learning anything new.

In our day, there is more information available than at any other time in human history. E-books, Google, and the Internet provide an almost infinite amount of data. Yet with this plethora of information, many people are not becoming any wiser. The problem with Google is that it steers you to the sites that are most popular, rather than the ones that are most truthful or helpful. We can spend vast amounts of time reading materials that benefit us not at all, while neglecting the deep truths that could forever change our lives.

Are you known as someone who is always learning? If so, are you learning what really matters? Or are you wasting your time?

What might be the most disturbing of all the descriptions of the last days concerns religious people. In the last days, there will still be those who claim to believe in God. They will practice religious rituals and still use pious language. The problem will be that they have no spiritual power.

The Gospel does not consist primarily of words, but in power. Today we can hear television preachers or speakers in grandiose churches using numerous religious clichés and flowery phrases. They may cite the example of Jesus or refer to God’s love, but it becomes clear that these are merely trite, meaningless, powerless phrases. No one is set free by such sermonettes. Sin is redefined by such speakers but it is not overcome in people’s lives.

Paul urged Timothy to avoid people who talk about religious subjects but who do not demonstrate God’s power. People who preach eloquent sermons must do so in their own power. But those who deliver a message from God can do so with divine strength. Don’t be fooled by people’s eloquence or high-sounding phrases. Look for power. Avoid powerless preachers and teachers like the plague.

Paul has much to say in describing the world in its final days. It will be filled with traitors. Of course, when people are filled with self-love and they have no self-control, then they will do whatever they can to obtain whatever they want. It will matter not who is harmed in the process or what promises and commitments are broken. In previous ages when Christianity exerted a greater impact on society, treason was considered abhorrent. This even by people whose own morals were considered to be questionable. But in our day, we are not surprised when people betray others in order to obtain their own selfish desires.

In the final days, people will be haughty and headstrong. Pride has been the undoing of countless people through the ages. It causes people to be unteachable and closed to the truth that could set them free. Likewise, in those days, people will be lovers of pleasure. Today, it is mind-boggling to calculate the billions of dollars society spends annually on it enjoyment. No expense is considered too great. While we might disdain to spend our hard-earned money on helping the homeless or the oppressed in other countries, we can spend thousands of dollars on our entertainment and feel absolutely justified. What is worse, we love pleasure more than we love God. That might be one of the reasons God commands us to give a portion of our money back to Him. It reminds us that He, and not our happiness, is our first priority.

While it is sobering to read of what people will be like in the end times, it is perhaps even more disturbing to realize how many of those characteristics show up at times in our own life today.

Paul’s description to young Timothy of the last days is as startling as it is comprehensive. Paul wanted his young protégé to be aware of the times in which he lived so he did not miss the activity of God in his midst. Nothing could be more important than recognizing when Christ’s return is imminent.

In this verse, Paul continued to describe what the times would be like when Christ returned. People would be unloving. Sadly, as many people are growing up in broken, unloving homes today, they have never experienced love themselves, so they have no idea how to express it to others. We are seeing a society rise up that largely is unfamiliar with how to express genuine love for others. Likewise, forgiveness is increasingly rare. Many world religions and cultures exult in revenge and hatred while despising forgiveness and compassion. In a world short on love, one cannot expect to receive forgiveness.

The last days will also be characterized by a blatant lack of self-control. For unbelievers, this life is all they have, so it seems foolish to restrain from indulging in any earthly pleasure they desire. Self-control is increasingly rare. The media urges people to loosen their restraints and to brazenly grasp what they want. The world offers to help people indulge in any excess that they crave. Debts of individuals and nations escalate as people refuse to restrain themselves from obtaining whatever they covet.

People in the last days will also be characterized by being brutal and despising what is good. One can tell much about a nation by examining its popular sports and recreation. As sports become more violent, both on the field and in the stands, we see a society devoid of restraint and basic goodness.

Take time to reflectively look at society today. How closely do we resemble the one in which Christ will return?