But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people turn away. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5, NKJV.
Heavenly Father, as we study the signs that point to Your return in glory, please help us to keep our eyes on You, the Author and the Finisher of our faith; in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Today we will continue to look at some of the sinful behaviors that will be prevalent just before the return of Jesus. It is true, that from time immemorial these sins have been committed. Therefore. it must be for some special reason, that God is calling our attention to them at such a time as this! Let us take a few minutes to consider why it is, that even though we see, and know, that these things are happening all around us, and that there is just a step between us and a fall, that we will fall anyway? Simply because the adversary will use all of his sophistries on everyone of us, in order to get us to fall! Let us not forget that even for a moment! We will now continue with the second half of the Mental group.
Disobedient to parents. It is amazing how children can go to a parent and tell them, “What you say is true! Every time I go against your teachings, I always regret it;” and then go off and do what they want to do, anyway! At first glance it may seem as if no thought was given to their action. To the contrary, they had to rationalize why, in spite of what they knew would happen, they nevertheless, went ahead, and did what they wanted to do! Unthankful. We also refer to this as being ungrateful; the sin of ingratitude. There are folk, that no matter what you do for them, it never inspires a feeling of gratitude. Their rationale is, “Life owes me this; therefore, what is there to be thankful for!” Do not try to understand it. Sin has no logical explanation. Traitors. Judas had walked with Jesus for three and a half years. He had experienced Jesus’ love. He had seen the depth of His friendship. In spite of this knowledge, he betrayed Him! Do not expect that it will be any better for us in these last days. Headstrong. Do you know anyone like this? Self-willed? Determined to have his or her own way no matter what you say to him or her? Not willing to listen to anyone else’s side of the story? In the end of time, I dare say, that this behavior will increase, exponentially! Haughty. Condescending, is another way of describing this sin. This group of people believe that they are superior to others. The church is the last place you would expect to find this group; right? Not if you are living in the period of Laodicea!
Only Jesus, can stand between us and a fall. In our strength, we are no match for the adversary! Remember that he came from heaven; and when he was cast out into the earth, the alarm sounded: “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12: 12)! What brought rejoicing in the heavens (the great deceiver, “the great dragon,” “that old serpent,” was cast out); brought woe to the earth! But here is the Good News: “You are of God little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4: 4). Emphasis provided. Hallelujah! Take heart dear friends! There is hope!
NOTE: There have been some corrections to yesterday’s devotional.