Living In the Last Days
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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 have no interest in what is good.
They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride,
and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are
religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.
You must stay away from people like that. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
Would you agree this biblical description fits our society today? Can
there be any doubt that we are living in "the last days" before Jesus'
return? While spirituality has become very popular, the truths of the
bible have become blurred amid the fashionable religious beliefs of our
day. Surveys conducted by the Barna Research Group (http://www.barna.org)
indicate that, among U.S. respondents whose answers categorize them as
being "born again," 28% believe that Jesus committed sin during His life
on earth; 39% do not believe that He was physically resurrected; 56%
think that a good person can earn their way to heaven; 46% accept as
true the idea that Satan is not a living being but merely a symbol of
evil. Three-quarters of Americans (75%) believe that the Bible teaches
that God helps those who help themselves. Further, Barna's studies
"persuasively indicate that the vast majority of American churches are
populated by people who are lukewarm spiritually." At a time when the
church needs more than ever to be a mainstay in the proclamation of
truth, a growing trend among congregations seeking to increase
attendance is to neglect the inerrant, living word of God in favor of
more politically correct motivational lectures.
"The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead,
they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only
what they are itching to hear. They will turn from the truth and
eagerly listen to senseless stories." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 CEV
Perhaps it is time we went back to the basics, learn the truth and stop
apologizing for it, and live out what we say we believe. Because we are
living in the last days.
Heavenly Father, please grant us understanding of the times we live in.
May we be salt and light in a lost and dying world. I thank You that
the great end time harvest has already begun, and that the return of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is soon approaching. May every person
reading this devotional be spiritually ready for Your appearing, and may
we each take someone with us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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