Jesus was very clear in the gospels
about what we could expect in both our church community and society within the
last days. He warned us of perilous times and how men shall be lovers of their
own selves -- covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, uncaring and unthankful
-- just to name a few of the negative characteristics that we see emerging
within society today.
Even though the Lord Jesus shows us a
better way, we are witnessing a breakdown in the social fabric from attitudes
that are not focussed on standing on the teachings of the good news gospel in
the new covenant. (II Timothy 3:1-4) As such, believers are warned of
those who are traitors and false accusers -- the wolves in sheep's clothing
that enter into our church communities unawares. Indeed, the scriptures
state:
"Having a form of godliness but
denying the power thereof, from such, turn away. For of this sort are they
which creep into houses, and lead silly women laden with sins away with
divers lusts -- ever learning
and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:5)
Just as Jannes and
Jambres withstood Moses in the Old Testament, so do these also resist the truth
in these last days. Indeed, the scriptures call them "men of corrupt minds
reprobate concerning the faith."
Thankfully, the
scriptures state that they shall proceed no further for their folly shall
be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. The problem is
that in the interim, good men and women get hurt along the way. Young
Christians who are not yet grounded in the Word (and do not understand that
there would be false people within their midst) begin believing that these are
representative of the few, without realizing that these are evil men and
seducers that "shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being
deceived."
What can we do? We
need to become fully grounded in the Word. Study the Word to show thyself approved.
Learn what Jesus actually said (instead of accepting the words of eloquent men)
and commit these same teachings to your heart.
As Timothy wrote
... when "thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came
unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured"
then you can be confident in the Lord Jesus Christ -- our Lord God
and Saviour -- for deliverance too.
"Yea, and
all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But
continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child
thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
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