“Know this also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1).
A quick look at the word “perilous” from Vines Expository Dictionary is… “hard to deal with or bear, difficult, painful, grievous.” Strong’s Dictionary defines it as, “difficult, dangerous, or (by implication) furious.” That sums up our world today. But God also gives the reason…
“For people shall be lovers of themselves.” This idolatrous obsession with “self” brings such a list of ugliness that few people like to quote the whole thing: covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, false accusers, without self control, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, headstrong, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
This same chapter goes on to say, “evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” It couldn’t be a bleaker picture for those of us who live in these last days. How can we find safety and live in confidence, rather than constant complaining and doom? The chapter explains…
“Continue in the things you have learned and have been assured of… the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine (what to believe), for reproof (how to know right from wrong), for correction (how to get back on course), for instruction in righteousness: that the person belonging to God may be perfect, thoroughly outfitted unto all good works.”
We are thoroughly outfitted “in Christ” to navigate these perilous times. Saved from selfish ambition, Christ gives us the power to live righteously in an unrighteous world by His Spirit; and the Word of Truth saves us from deception. May our transformed lives and confidence in Christ be clearly seen by those around us, that they too might come to know that…
In Christ, there’s no safer Place to be.
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