One of the gifts that God has given to me to use for His glory is the ability to tell it like it is. The ability to speak on the hard things; the things that others do not usually want to speak about. One thing is certainly true today, we are living in days that are becoming more and more wicked each day. All one has to do is go outside their door and take a look around at what is happening before our very eyes. We have suddenly become a society that quickly acknowledges things that we know in our hearts are morally wrong. We have become quick to reject things in society that we know are morally right. We have become a society that rejects God and His righteousness and embraces the evil and vile things of the enemy. Some may say the I am being too harsh, or that I am making unnecessary judgments. But I would say to those that we have been warned that these things would be happening, and that many would accept them, even when it is in our very pulpits!
"For the time will come when men will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 3:3-4.
At the time that Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, he was imprisoned in Rome under Emperor Nero. Paul knew that the work Jesus had given to him was done and his life was nearly at an end. But Paul was deeply concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time. Nero was a very brutal and harsh ruler, especially so to Christians. Many would have their life snuffed out at his command. Paul knew that this would be a very trying time for those that were leading the churches and he knew that he had to strengthen Timothy and others by giving them 4 charges for the churches.
First, he admonished them to guard the gospel. Second, to preserve it. Third, to keep on preaching it, and finally, if necessary, to suffer for it. Paul knew that this would be a great time of testing, a time when the leaders would be asked to stand firm and strong in God and their faith, if the truth of Christ was to be made evident. Even if it was to cost them their very lives, one of which Paul would gladly do. There would be those in high positions that would do everything they could to demean and rattle the Christians in hope of destroying the church. There would be those that would be teachers of lies, seeking to pervert the Word through acceptance of those things that were the very heart of righteousness and holiness. They would be those that would seek to fulfill their sinful desires, instead of seeking the desires of God. Paul was encouraging Timothy to stand fast, preach the Word, keep the Word, and die for the Word. Paul was encouraging Timothy to stand for Christ!
Today we are witnessing the same things that were happening in those days. We are living in days when many Christians would rather worry about their own places of worship and themselves, rather than worry about what is going on around them. The, "It's none of my business" motto has became something that you hear regularly from believers. The Bible teaches us that this is not the case! No, we are not to go around exacting judgment and punishment upon those that exercise unrighteousness, as God loves them too. However, when we witness pastors and other church leaders telling us that homosexuality is ok, it is not a choice, God made me this way, and they are in positions of leadership over other believers, we have a responsibility as believers in Christ Jesus to make a stand against falsehoods of this nature that are being taught! And, what's more, what are we going to be taught next? What are we going to hear is OK next? After all, God loves us and will accept us, right?
Friends, as believers, God is love! But one thing many of us forget, God is sovereign! God is Holy! And a sovereign, holy God demands righteous and holiness from His people! We are not to go around acting as more "righteous than thou", we are not to go around as executioners either. So what are we to do? We are to consult the One that has all the answers through His Word and prayer! Paul told Timothy that we are to "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 3:2. We are to make a stand for godliness and holiness in Christ, even if that stance causes us our very lives!
Too many of us have become too accustomed to tolerating anything! If it is put in our faces long enough, we grow weary and accept it, even when we know we shouldn't. Too many of us are also afraid to make a stance, afraid to rock the boat, seeking to keep the things we have now, instead of focusing our eyes on the future glory we will share with Jesus. How much more will we tolerate? How much more will we give in too? How much more do you think God is going to tolerate? Examine yourself and ask what you are doing to stand for holiness and righteous. And, don't be afraid to rock the boat--Jesus didn't come down to us to get us out of trouble, He came to get into trouble with us!
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
"For the time will come when men will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 3:3-4.
At the time that Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, he was imprisoned in Rome under Emperor Nero. Paul knew that the work Jesus had given to him was done and his life was nearly at an end. But Paul was deeply concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time. Nero was a very brutal and harsh ruler, especially so to Christians. Many would have their life snuffed out at his command. Paul knew that this would be a very trying time for those that were leading the churches and he knew that he had to strengthen Timothy and others by giving them 4 charges for the churches.
First, he admonished them to guard the gospel. Second, to preserve it. Third, to keep on preaching it, and finally, if necessary, to suffer for it. Paul knew that this would be a great time of testing, a time when the leaders would be asked to stand firm and strong in God and their faith, if the truth of Christ was to be made evident. Even if it was to cost them their very lives, one of which Paul would gladly do. There would be those in high positions that would do everything they could to demean and rattle the Christians in hope of destroying the church. There would be those that would be teachers of lies, seeking to pervert the Word through acceptance of those things that were the very heart of righteousness and holiness. They would be those that would seek to fulfill their sinful desires, instead of seeking the desires of God. Paul was encouraging Timothy to stand fast, preach the Word, keep the Word, and die for the Word. Paul was encouraging Timothy to stand for Christ!
Today we are witnessing the same things that were happening in those days. We are living in days when many Christians would rather worry about their own places of worship and themselves, rather than worry about what is going on around them. The, "It's none of my business" motto has became something that you hear regularly from believers. The Bible teaches us that this is not the case! No, we are not to go around exacting judgment and punishment upon those that exercise unrighteousness, as God loves them too. However, when we witness pastors and other church leaders telling us that homosexuality is ok, it is not a choice, God made me this way, and they are in positions of leadership over other believers, we have a responsibility as believers in Christ Jesus to make a stand against falsehoods of this nature that are being taught! And, what's more, what are we going to be taught next? What are we going to hear is OK next? After all, God loves us and will accept us, right?
Friends, as believers, God is love! But one thing many of us forget, God is sovereign! God is Holy! And a sovereign, holy God demands righteous and holiness from His people! We are not to go around acting as more "righteous than thou", we are not to go around as executioners either. So what are we to do? We are to consult the One that has all the answers through His Word and prayer! Paul told Timothy that we are to "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 3:2. We are to make a stand for godliness and holiness in Christ, even if that stance causes us our very lives!
Too many of us have become too accustomed to tolerating anything! If it is put in our faces long enough, we grow weary and accept it, even when we know we shouldn't. Too many of us are also afraid to make a stance, afraid to rock the boat, seeking to keep the things we have now, instead of focusing our eyes on the future glory we will share with Jesus. How much more will we tolerate? How much more will we give in too? How much more do you think God is going to tolerate? Examine yourself and ask what you are doing to stand for holiness and righteous. And, don't be afraid to rock the boat--Jesus didn't come down to us to get us out of trouble, He came to get into trouble with us!
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
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