Our scripture this morning is 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
“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. Avoid such people.”
Are we living in the last days? It is easy to see many of the things Paul warns about happening now. It is a scary world out there and rather than trying to make a difference, sometimes we throw up our hands in despair and cry “Come Lord Jesus!”
Jesus wants us to be ready for His return, but He doesn’t want us to give up. Every generation has faced trials and opposition from the world. Ever since we turned from God to selfish disobedience, sin has been a presence in our world.
Jesus knows this and came to be with us to show us the way back to an eternal connection to God. Our joy is that we can have this relationship every day, and share the love we know in Him with everyone. The old hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” tells us we can have “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow”. Instead of living as if the end is upon us, we must live in Christ and know our salvation is assured.
Loving Lord, we are often frightened and confused about the future. Help us to see the blessing we have in our Savior and live secure in that promise. In Your name we pray. Amen.