The Last Days: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
“1) But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2) For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3) unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4) treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
This text needs no explanation. In the last days, as secular society rejects the moral God of the Bible, human depravity will begin to reign. This text is very similar to the decline of human civilization Paul described in Romans 1:18-32. History has a way of repeating itself.
Whenever the moral God of the Bible is removed from public conscientious, there no longer remains a standard for good and bad, right and wrong, sin and righteousness. These verses described Greek and Roman culture where Timothy was living and doing ministry.
Unfortunately, they are also descriptive of modern times. The big difference between then and now has been 2,000 years of Christian ministry and influence. There have been periods of awakenings, reformation and revivals, but secular culture has once again abandoned God.
So what recourse does the church have in our day? The rest of the book of 2 Timothy gives a very comprehensive strategy. Let me share a brief summary and add a few points from Pauls broader advice to Timothy. 1) Embrace Jesus Christ and the gospel. 2) Build a solid biblical life. 3) Preach and teach the Word without compromise. 4) Endure hardship and opposition. 5) Keep sharing the gospel and mentoring faithful men and women. 6) Bathe your efforts in prayer. 7) Trust the Holy Spirit to work in extraordinary ways.
That may sound simplistic, but it is absolutely profound and powerful! It summarizes Paul’s letters to Timothy. Whenever the church returns to these basics, amazing things begin to happen.
Let me be candid, these are terrible times for humanism and secular culture. They have miserably failed and everyone knows it! But these are wonderful times for the true church to lift up Jesus Christ and share the gospel! Why? Because despair is everywhere and everyone is looking for answers. Paul was telling Timothy to stay the course!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
