Our scripture this morning is 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
It is sad to think that Paul’s words from the first century could be so accurate in our world two thousand years later. It shows us that we are no different as a society than those who lived long ago. It also shows how much we need God’s love and forgiveness.
When God created us, there was a risk in giving us free will. God knew that we would choose poorly and had already planned for our salvation from the very beginning. He loves us too much to leave us in the sin that causes us to turn away from Him.
Forced love and worship is meaningless, and thus God gave us a choice. We must make a conscious decision to accept Christ’s sacrifice for us, repent and return willingly to a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Only through faith in Him can we be saved.
Gracious God, we are sorry for choosing ourselves over the blessing You offer us. Help us to walk in Your light and share Your love with all the world. Amen.