“But know this,
that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without
self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers
of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying
its power. And from such people turn away!” (2Timothy 3:1-5 NKJ)
that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without
self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers
of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying
its power. And from such people turn away!” (2Timothy 3:1-5 NKJ)
Gustafson wrote:
“We fuss over form and we put on a face, All the while showing God
disrespect, Not seeing how pride is eclipsing God’s grace That the light of
Christ’s life should reflect.”
“We fuss over form and we put on a face, All the while showing God
disrespect, Not seeing how pride is eclipsing God’s grace That the light of
Christ’s life should reflect.”
There are so many
perils in our world. In addition to war and earth-shattering typhoons there is
self-love and a long list of resulting perils (see Paul’s list above). The
Apostle warns us to not put ourselves in danger by associating with such
perilous people.
perils in our world. In addition to war and earth-shattering typhoons there is
self-love and a long list of resulting perils (see Paul’s list above). The
Apostle warns us to not put ourselves in danger by associating with such
perilous people.
The wisdom of Paul’s
counsel can be easily seen when we acknowledge our own human weakness for
pride. The Bible is replete with warnings about pride and it is perilous to
ignore them. False detail, embellishment, and ornamentation have become the
post-modern decorations. Unfortunately the Church has not escaped this peril.
counsel can be easily seen when we acknowledge our own human weakness for
pride. The Bible is replete with warnings about pride and it is perilous to
ignore them. False detail, embellishment, and ornamentation have become the
post-modern decorations. Unfortunately the Church has not escaped this peril.
Many people are like
the SUV owners who purchase “Spray-on-Mud” to make their
contemporaries think they have been in the mudflats all day. In a British pub,
some friends created the idea to sell mud to city dwellers who want to give the
appearance of off-road, fun without ever leaving town. This mud in a can
creates the form but belies the reality.
the SUV owners who purchase “Spray-on-Mud” to make their
contemporaries think they have been in the mudflats all day. In a British pub,
some friends created the idea to sell mud to city dwellers who want to give the
appearance of off-road, fun without ever leaving town. This mud in a can
creates the form but belies the reality.
God continuously
calls us to authentic faith. His apostle has warned us of people who practice a
form of godliness but deny the power of God. A form of Christianity without the
inward power of Christ is a deception of pride.
calls us to authentic faith. His apostle has warned us of people who practice a
form of godliness but deny the power of God. A form of Christianity without the
inward power of Christ is a deception of pride.
Dear Father, thank
you for the reality and power of Christ. Grant that we may reject the peril of
pride and truly trust in the power of the Resurrected Christ. I pray this in
the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the reality and power of Christ. Grant that we may reject the peril of
pride and truly trust in the power of the Resurrected Christ. I pray this in
the name of Jesus. AMEN
Receive the power of
Christ today,
Christ today,