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Be Aware of Terrible Times
Many Christians see the ever increasing number of natural and man-made disasters as another sign that we are living in the terrible last days. To the early Christians 'the last days' meant their own time because they expected the soon return of Jesus Christ.
Our newspapers remind us daily that we are surely living in terrible times. Paul, however, was more concerned about the deception within the church. People appear to be godly but they neither know God nor His transforming power in their lives. Lovers of self rather than lovers of God, they behave as badly as they please (vs 2-4). Indeed terrible times will come when unbelieving persons profess the faith but deny its power (Matthew 23:27-28, Titus 1:16).
Deception, manipulation, novelties, great promises - all tactics still used by people who prey on the most vulnerable to gain followers for their false religion (v 6). Sad but true that weak and insecure women are easily taken in by these smooth talkers: ‘always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth' (v 7). Could this be a fair comment on people today too, who go from meeting to meeting, learning from all kinds of preachers but never coming to conviction or commitment?
Paul in effect was warning Timothy of a powerless and permissive form of 'Christianity' that will deceive many people. Only an unshakable knowledge of God's truth and obedience to Him can keep us from going astray in these terrible times.
If we have clear evidence of wrongdoing or deception in the church would we do something about it?
Many Christians see the ever increasing number of natural and man-made disasters as another sign that we are living in the terrible last days. To the early Christians 'the last days' meant their own time because they expected the soon return of Jesus Christ.
Our newspapers remind us daily that we are surely living in terrible times. Paul, however, was more concerned about the deception within the church. People appear to be godly but they neither know God nor His transforming power in their lives. Lovers of self rather than lovers of God, they behave as badly as they please (vs 2-4). Indeed terrible times will come when unbelieving persons profess the faith but deny its power (Matthew 23:27-28, Titus 1:16).
Deception, manipulation, novelties, great promises - all tactics still used by people who prey on the most vulnerable to gain followers for their false religion (v 6). Sad but true that weak and insecure women are easily taken in by these smooth talkers: ‘always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth' (v 7). Could this be a fair comment on people today too, who go from meeting to meeting, learning from all kinds of preachers but never coming to conviction or commitment?
Paul in effect was warning Timothy of a powerless and permissive form of 'Christianity' that will deceive many people. Only an unshakable knowledge of God's truth and obedience to Him can keep us from going astray in these terrible times.
If we have clear evidence of wrongdoing or deception in the church would we do something about it?
Scripture
About this Plan
These readings from Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia are written from the thoughts and insights of Asian writers. Paul lays down the priorities and principles of leadership in the church, and for dealing with practical matters in church life. He emphasises the personal life and example of the leader, not methods or techniques, with himself as the role-model.
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