Paul tells Timothy
that "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus
will be persecuted..." (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV) When I was a young
Christian I had a hard time figuring out what this meant. As a much older and
hopefully a bit wiser Christian, I now have a better idea. It can be
quite a challenge, at times, to live in a society where God is placed on
the bottom of the list of his children's priorities, if He's even on that list
all. It's difficult to be surrounded by so many people who are in love
with themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the
parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without
self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but
denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:2-5) Paul's not talking here
about unbelievers. He's talking about those who profess to believe in God.
He's talking about some of the Christians at Ephesus. Paul says simply,
"Have nothing to do with such people." (2 Timothy 3:5) That can
be pretty difficult as some of those who would teach and believe such
lies are our friends, our neighbors, and often our own family. That,
sadly, is a reality.
We live in an age when
many who profess to be Christians have heard and believe many false teachings.
There are those who profess to be Christian who do not actually believe that
Jesus rose from the dead; that He is God. There are those who believe and
teach that everyone is saved and that Jesus is not the only way, quite contrary
to his word. These denials of the faith must be refuted to protect those who
are being led astray by those who would worm their way into homes and gain
control over the gullible. We must also pray for those who have been
led astray by those who teach and preach to advance their own agendas.
So, what can we do? We
can get to know God's word and loving will for us and for all people. Paul
encouraged Timothy and the church at Ephesus to "Continue in what you
have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you
learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which
are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
We cannot confront
lies unless we know the truth. Be diligent, then, in hearing and studying the
Word of God found in the Holy Scriptures so that you might live your life in Christ.
God's Peace - Pr. J
No comments:
Post a Comment