“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves… rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” –

2 Timothy 3:1-2a, 4b-5

The times they are a-changin’. The world is in a downward spiral of depravity, and we as Christians are struggling to maintain sure footing. Every day I see more people preaching tolerance and bad-mouthing anyone who doesn’t accept all beliefs. You can’t stand for something because your stance may conflict with someone else’s so it’s easier to have no stance at all.

Many people have said that “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” These days it seems much easier to just go with the flow instead of being seen as confrontational. You don’t want to appear (here comes the ugly word) judgmental or (even worse) narrow-minded. Even in the church today the truth of sin and the need for salvation have been thrust aside in an effort to craft a more pleasing, all-inclusive, feel-good gospel. More and more people are being taught to pursue their own pleasure and happiness, while neglecting the fundamental truths of God’s Word. As soon as we feel comfortable “benching” the word of God, we are then ready to receive any worldly philosophy that teaches us to indulge our flesh.

We live in desperate times, and the need for people who’ll stand up for the truth has never been greater. The problem is we’re afraid. We think that if we stand for the truth, we’ll be made fun of or we’ll get beaten up (I’m writing from my own perspective here). Well, guess what? You probably will! Okay, maybe you won’t, but either way this is one of those promises people choose to forget. You won’t find this one hand-written on a 3 x 5 index card taped to the bathroom mirror or magnetized to the refrigerator. We would much rather cling to the “feel-good” promises in the Bible. But don’t we cling to those special promises because we know that God keeps them? Why then are we surprised when this one holds true? All who desire to live godly will suffer persecution.

Paul warns Timothy that imposters will come and deceive gullible people, leading them astray by feeding their lust for money and pleasure. They look like Christians, but they don’t act like it. We see that all around us. People drop Jesus’ name anywhere they can in order to gain for themselves. Wolves in sheep’s clothing entice Christian women into inappropriate relationships. So called “Christian” organizations rip off the people of God with one hand on the Bible and the other in our wallets.

Christians get angry when they see how bad the world is. They get up-in-arms when they feel their “rights” being violated. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but God told us that this would happen! Why are we so shocked? The reason He told us was so that we wouldn’t be led astray from His calling to make disciples. This holy calling demands a total renouncing of our own rights- to sacrifice our creature comforts for the greater cause of preaching the gospel. We need to avoid those who claim to know God but deny him by their actions. We must be separate from the imposters in order to show a lost and dying world what true Christianity is all about.

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution… But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned [them], and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 3:12, 14-15