Times of Difficulty, Times of Faithfulness
Timothy was a young man who traveled with Paul on his ministry travels and became the pastor of the church in the city of Ephesus. In a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, he offered this warning:
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV).
What is even worse, Paul tells Timothy that the people will want to be accepted and encouraged in their sinful ways.
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4, ESV)
I don’t believe this warning is relevant only to the first century. In fact, there is ample evidence that this is common throughout the history of the church, even to today. Paul does provide a response to this attitude.
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time – he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:11-16, ESV)
Consider this and make your choice.
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV)
May you proclaim:
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.” (Psalm 119:30, ESV)