The Bad Character of our World Foretold, & its Effect
March 24, 2024
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This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3: 1-5) Recognize that 2 Timothy 3 was written 1000+ years ago and is completely accurate to what our world is like today. It’s so important that we listen to what God’s Word warns us about. We must heed God’s warnings for our safety. Are we in peril in America? God says, in the last days, we will be living in perilous times, simply because of the selfish character of mankind. People will be lovers of their own selves, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, and without natural affection. This is a recipe for family and community destruction. Are you a selfish pleasure seeker? Is comfort on the throne of your life or is Jesus King? Do you love other people or use people and love yourself? God has called us to a life that is opposite of the above character traits, a life of sacrificial love for others and wholehearted love for God. God says we fulfill the whole law by loving our neighbor. We’re to think of others more than ourselves and be servant minded like Jesus. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Galatians 5:14) Loving God and loving people – "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40) Loving self and loving pleasure more than loving God is idolatry and disobedience to the above commands to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. As our society deteriorates into perilous times, we need to recognize our bad character as the sin that it is. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” I believe this is the solution to what is taking place in our churches, communities, and country and is so important to put into practice. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:8-10) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:3-10)