04/07/2008 2 Timothy 3:2

04/07/2008

2 Timothy 3:2 - 5 (HCSB)

²For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, ⁴traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵holding to the form of religion but denying its power. Avoid these people!

2 Timothy 4:2 - 4 (HCSB)

²proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. ³For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. ⁴They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Whenever I go to a bookstore, I frequently walk by the religion section—more out of curiosity than need. I have become more and more amazed over my years at how the religion section has changed from primarily Christian to primarily pagan and New Age. Dominating the shelves are books on Egyptology, ancient Native American religions, Celtic and Druidic religions, not to mention Witchcraft and Paganism. Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, and eastern religions also have a prominent showing.

When I read the words of Paul, I sometimes wonder if he is seeing directly into our generation. The verses from chapter 3 of 2 Timothy seem to describe our generation and upcoming generation quite accurately. I think the highways are the most telling places. People are most concerned with their own destination and are willing to risk life and limb for that extra car-length. They will cut you off and then curse you for impeding their way.

But then, Paul, in chapter 4 (above) describes very well what is happening to us theologically. The same people, who will cut you off in traffic, will go to church, but they find a church that is teaching a doctrine that is inoffensive. They will seek out a “pastor” who only placates their guilt but does not confront them with the need for a savior. Even mainstream Christian denominations are bending to this human-centered church – rather than a Christ-centered Gospel.

This is the mystery of the Bible. Words that were written 2000 years ago are still so pertinent today.

But Paul also talks about another group of people: those who seek the will of God:

2 Timothy 2:22 - 25 (HCSB)

²²Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. ²⁴The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, ²⁵instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant [his opponents] repentance to know the truth.

Consider your behavior, which group do you fall into? Which group do you want to be identified with? Are there changes you need to make?

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