◄ What Does 2 Timothy 3:7 Mean? ►

Paul knew that perilous times were coming on the Church, when apostasy would be rife within Christendom. He warned Timothy of the many identifying factors which would characterise the end of the age. Men and women would be selfish, conceited, and egotistical. They would be greedy for money and display pride and arrogance. They would blaspheme God and be disobedient to parents - and they would be unthankful, unholy, unloving, and unforgiving.

From his incarceration in a Roman prison, Paul knew that the time of his death was fast approaching... and this letter to Timothy was to be the final epistle he was ever to write. Paul was eager to warn us of the perilous times to come and to encourage us to familiarise ourselves with the Word of God and the gospel of grace.

We are exhorted to search the Scriptures daily and to show ourselves approved unto God. We are admonished to read, mark, learn, inwardly digest, and meditate on the truth of God's holy Word on a daily basis so that we will not be deceived by false doctrines, nor devoured by wicked wolves in sheep's clothing. We are urged to put on the whole armour of God and equip ourselves with the spiritual weaponry that is ours in Christ Jesus - Who alone is able to assure us of victory over the evils of this present age.

One identifying characteristic of these end times in which we live, is that men and women would always be learning new things but never being able to come to a sound knowledge and pure understanding of the gospel message. They would become captive to the ever-changing tweets and twitters that tickled their fancy - they would keep on learning new things but would never be able to come to a real understanding of biblical truth.

Today, we are surrounded by a plethora of unbiblical cults and religious groups who ply their own unscriptural interpretations on illiterate, unsuspecting, and gullible people. Each lay claim to the truth, yet all deny the Lord Who bought them - in one way or another. Paul bemoaned the fact that the time would come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts would heap upon themselves faithless teachers, having itching ears.

In one way or another, the redemptive work of Christ is minimised, and the shed blood of our Redeemer is treated with contempt. In one way or another, biblical truth is laid aside while the philosophies and fancies of the world are incorporated into song and sermon alike.

Every area of biblical doctrine is watered down or corrupted, in one way or another. Every trace of truth is twisted into some form of relative belief or comparative study. Every fundamental truth and biblical fact is compromised... as we discover a multiplicity of human attempts to twist scriptural truth by remodelling the glorious gospel of grace into a distorted mush so that it teaches someones pet dogma.

However, the Word of God is true and stands fast forever. The Word of truth is unchanging and unchangeable. May we look to Jesus the incarnate Word made flesh, Who died and rose again so that we who believe on Him would never die, but gain forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word of God and the wonderful truths that it contains. I recognize that there is such an explosion of knowledge in these last days. Knowledge is put on a pedestal, and people work very hard to increase their knowledge of worldly things. I pray that these learned people would come to the knowledge of the thing they need the most, a saving knowledge of You. Keep me from being drawn into the lust for knowledge, and give me discernment to recognise and reject teachers and teachings which water-down the good news of the gospel of grace and pervert the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Give me a teachable spirit and the courage and grace to stand fast in the truth and to share the good news with those I come in contact with, for Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN.