2 Timothy 3:1-5 – “But understand this, that in the last days, difficult times will come. ² For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. ⁵ They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power.  So avoid people like these.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word, the Last Days, and the church (Christ’s Body) filled my thoughts.   2 Timothy 3 and other passages in Scripture describe the conditions and characteristics of the Last Days.   It resembles newspaper headlines that describe today’s world.

Difficult, troubled, trying, and perilous times characterized that era.  People will have an inordinate love for themselves and become increasingly selfish and self-centered.  

2 Timothy 3 lists greedy, boastful, proud, arrogant, blasphemous, rebellious, undisciplined, ungrateful, entitled, unholy, irreconcilable, slanderous, savage, filled with hate, unloving, no self-control, treacherous, opposing the good, moral, and right, and driven by pleasure rather than God.   What a list!  Verse 5 says, “They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power.”

In Genesis 1:28, God gave Adam authority and dominion.  In Genesis 9:2, He gave that authority to Noah.  He gave it to the nation of Israel and, finally, the church (believers).

Today, much of the Church has lost that power.   How did that happen?  That is too lengthy a discussion to address fully in a short post.   But let’s highlight or list some ways.

• We have allowed Babylon to infect and infest the Church.
• There is evidence that the Church has become a flavorless entity.  (Our salt has lost its saltiness.  We’ve become like the world.) 
• It has become a sleeping church.
• It has become a fatalistic church. 

(Live and let live, unaffected by sin in the church and world).

• It has become a futuristic church.

(The battle is now, with no enemies in heaven to defeat or souls to win.)

• It has become a compromising church.

(Overly interested in being politically correct and tolerant at the expense of morals and biblical precepts).

• It is frequently an ignorant church.

(Unaware and uninformed because of the dearth of gospel preaching and teaching.  Feel good preaching, not life-transforming challenges).

• It has become an unforgiving church.

(The church is made up of individual people.  If we want to be triumphant, we must be forgiving.)

• It has ceased to be a victorious church.

Jesus said His church would prevail and be unstoppable by the powers of darkness.   We are Victorious through the Blood of Jesus.   Forgiven, filled, transformed, and possessing the authority of heaven.   Demons should cringe when we show up.

Let’s set our hearts to being who Jesus says we are and possess the promises, enforcing the victory of the Cross.   Let us live with “No fear!” No holding back!  No compromise!   More than conquerors!  Let’s do the works He did and watch Him do the greater works through us!   Today is Victory Day!  Today is our day!  Today is Life Day!

May the Grace, Peace, Power, and Provision of the LORD be yours today!