What Does Scripture Say About Perilous Times?
By Jean A Sturgill | January 15, 2013
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Timothy 3:1
Realize that “in the last days” refers to right now. We’ve been in the last days for about 2000 years. The last days are the gospel times – the church age. We are neither looking forward to nor waiting on the last days. Instead, we are living them, and perilous times shall come.
There was a story in the news recently about Rev. Louie Giglio withdrawing from President Obama’s second inaugural. He had been asked to deliver the benediction, but there is controversy over anti-gay remarks he made in the past.
In short, Rev. Louie Giglio’s stance is that homosexuality is a sin.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee is now looking for someone whose beliefs are in line with the “administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.”
Translation: the committee is not looking for someone who stands for God’s Word. We all know that God’s Word is controversial. Instead, they are looking for someone who is not controversial.
Again, perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:2-5
The world is full of people like this. All you have to do to find one is look around.
In this passage though, as Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible points out, “having a form of godliness” refers not to the folks from outside of the church, but from within or connected to the church. And “denying the power thereof” means that they do not let God have His way in their life. The power of God’s Word has no influence over them. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains it this way: “Opposing the real power of religion; not allowing it to exert any influence in their lives. It imposes no restraint on their passions and carnal propensities, but in all respects, except in the form of religion, they live as if they had None.”
The advice given us about these folks inside the walls of our church or connected to our church is “from such turn away.”
Unfortunately, if the committee really wants someone who has a form of godliness but denies the power thereof, they won’t have any trouble finding that person. It’s easy to be that person. It waxes harder and harder to stand with God.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:6-7
These folks with a form of godliness are “ever learning,” but they never “come to the knowledge of the truth.” They cannot come to the knowledge of the truth because they resist it. As long as they resist it, it’s just head knowledge.
We cannot fully understand God’s Word until we live it. We cannot know what it is to walk by faith until we actually do it.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:12-17
Yes, perilous times shall come. Persecution shall come, and evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse. Remember though, everything we need is found in the Word of God. The Holy Scripture is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord we are throughly furnished!
Steep yourselves in the Word of God.
Topics: Learning to Walk | Leave a Comment »
Newsletter: Subscribe Now
Social:
Follow @drewsanimals
Tweet
Is Your Heart Heavy for America? Do Something About It!
By Jean A Sturgill | November 12, 2012
Are you thinking that we are sliding morally? Are you thinking that we are sliding economically? Is your hope for the future almost gone? Maybe you are struggling. Maybe your business is struggling. Maybe you just don’t like the road ahead.
We can mourn all of it. We can be afraid of what lies ahead. We can be afraid of the next phase for America. We can live like that, or we can do something different.
The first thing that we need to remember is that “hope and change” does not begin with a man or men. The only real hope and change for this world comes by way of Jesus. It begins with the spread of the gospel, and it’s more powerful than you may think.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
Jesus was talking to Peter about building the church upon “this rock.” This rock is Jesus. Jesus is the cornerstone. He is the foundation. He is also the foundation of our nation in the sense that we started as a God-fearing Bible believing nation. No, we were not all Christians, but we created a nation founded on Judeo-Christain beliefs. We did not all trust in Jesus, but we for the most part trusted in God. This is where the rebuilding must begin.
No matter how bad the moral decline of this nation, it does not compare with the gates of hell. Matthew 16:18 says that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church and the spread of the gospel. As Christians, this is our number one job. If we are not happy with the moral decline that surrounds us, we are to blame. We have not done our job, but have heart. We can do a better job going forward, and we can win!
Yes, the economy may plummet. As bad as that may be, some folks must be dropped on their proverbial head before they look up. With the downturn of the economy comes great opportunity to share the gospel. When a person is financially bankrupt, their own spiritual bankruptness is often realized. Many may be more ready to try Jesus than they have ever been. The harvest awaits!
If you want hope and change, share Jesus.
But before we can do that, we need to be sure to examine our selves. Be aware that many folks who call themselves Christians are not walking the walk. We need to be sure that we are not one of them, and we need to repent if we are.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
God can heal our land, but he won’t do it until we, the saved, humble ourselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from our evil ways. God is waiting on us. We can reclaim America. Actually, God will even do it for us if we do what scripture says.
Do pray for our leaders. God has permitted those leaders to have power. We need to acknowledge God’s choice is for a reason, and we need to submit to God’s will for our country.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Perhaps this is our chance to get on our knees. Perhaps financial decline is what it will take to get America to look up. Pray people pray!
Topics: National Concerns, The Body of Christ | Leave a Comment »
Newsletter: Subscribe Now
Social:
Follow @drewsanimals
Tweet