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“In the Last Days”
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“This know also, that in the last days 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;”
2 Timothy 3:1–4
When we read what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write in his final letter, it seems like it was written today rather than nearly two thousand years ago. The description of a society that has turned its back on God matches what we see and hear playing out in the news day after day. We live in a culture that is devoted to evil. This should not come as a surprise to us, but it should motivate us to follow the Lord more closely.
Throughout history, God’s people have faced immoral cultures, false religions, and outright persecution. But outward forces have never destroyed the church. Even when it was forced underground by persecution, the church continued, and often saw a level of faith and commitment that grew despite the trials. The problem comes when the spirit of the last days, the spirit of selfishness and disobedience, comes inside the church.
Christ issued a stern warning to the lukewarm church at Laodicea that had adopted the spirit of the world around them: “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Revelation 3:18). The sinfulness of those around us should not be a cause for despair. We must remember that the victory has already been won by Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:1–4
When we read what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write in his final letter, it seems like it was written today rather than nearly two thousand years ago. The description of a society that has turned its back on God matches what we see and hear playing out in the news day after day. We live in a culture that is devoted to evil. This should not come as a surprise to us, but it should motivate us to follow the Lord more closely.
Throughout history, God’s people have faced immoral cultures, false religions, and outright persecution. But outward forces have never destroyed the church. Even when it was forced underground by persecution, the church continued, and often saw a level of faith and commitment that grew despite the trials. The problem comes when the spirit of the last days, the spirit of selfishness and disobedience, comes inside the church.
Christ issued a stern warning to the lukewarm church at Laodicea that had adopted the spirit of the world around them: “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Revelation 3:18). The sinfulness of those around us should not be a cause for despair. We must remember that the victory has already been won by Jesus Christ.
Today’s Growth Principle:
No matter what we see in the world around us, we have the promise of victory through the power of God.
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