“1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-9 (ESV)
I know that this is a long passage, and it is important. I consider myself a realist in that the glass in not half full or half empty, but there is simply liquid in the glass. And as a Libra I am pretty balanced. This approach seems to allow me to look at things objectively and see a more holistic view of situations. I will say that even though I have this balanced approach, I am on the lookout for evil each day. I do what I can to see and stay in front of that evil so as not to be drawn into it.
I feel as though we are certainly headed in the direction of Godlessness as described here in these verses. That Godlessness is visible everywhere you look as society is pressed to live and cower to every whim of society. If someone comes up with an idea that is contrary to societal norms of yesterday, we are driven to accept them as the societal norms today. And if that acceptance does not happen, then those that do not accept are vilified and treated as though they are the enemy.
I will say that I will stand for the truth whether that is alone or with others. I will oppose those against the truth, however that opposition will not be as those opposing the Truth. But I will oppose in the spirit of Christ, with love and caring for my fellow man. I will work hard to understand their position, although I may not accept them, I will not vilify the position, only hold the opposite position and declare as such.
I have to remain vigilant and dedicated to the Truth so as to present the Truth everywhere I go and in all situations.
“8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well” – James 2:8 (ESV)
Are you looking to love your neighbor? Are you vigilant in looking out for opposition to the Truth? Are you able to understand and oppose with the love of Christ?
Trevor's Thoughts 