October 18th
2 Timothy, 3
1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3: Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4: Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6: For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7: Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8: Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9: But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 10: But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11: Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13: But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14: But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15: 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. 16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
In this section Paul tells Timothy about the very difficult times that are coming. He calls them hard times. When these times come men will be devoted only to themselves, they want what others have, they will boast in their achievements, they will be full of themselves and they will curse God’s name. they will have no respect for their parents and they will be ungrateful unholy they will depart from even normal relations. They will be untrustworthy, lacking in any self-control. They will be savage, and they will look down in hatred on those who try to live for God. They think nothing of betraying their brothers. They will be reckless - risk-takers. They will be devoted to pleasure rather than loving God. They have an outward appearance of godliness you not the inner reality of it. You must avoid these people. They sneak into other peoples houses and captivate women who have no discernment and who are full of sexual lusts. They are always seeking to learn but never able to put the truth into practise. They are like, says Paul, Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses. (The magicians who opposed Moses in his demand of the release of the children of Israel.) These men also resist the message of God. They are men who minds are corrupted and have cast off the truth of the gospel. They won’t get anywhere, says Paul, their stupidity is obvious to everyone. You are not like that Timothy you have fully understood and followed my teaching and my example in Gods purpose, faith, patience, persecutions and afflictions which came to me at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. All of these persecutions l endured and the Lord brought me through them all. Timothy, All believers that are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men will get worse and worse, they deceive and are deceived. Timothy, says Paul, continue in the things that you have learnt from me and have been convinced of remembering me who taught you. And don’t forget that even from a child you have known the scriptures (The OT scriptures) which are able to lead you to the wisdom of salvation which comes by faith in Christ. Every passage of scripture is breathed out by God and is beneficial for teaching, conviction of error, setting men on the right path and the chastening of the Lord. That the man of God might be complete and completely fitted out with every good work.
Steve
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