Monday, January 10, 2022

Preparing for perilous times


There's a movement today that many people are aware of and many of them are involved in it, too. It's called "prepping." Or Preparedness. Or survival preparations. 

There are some terms that are familiar to those who are interested in this way of life; words like pantry, root cellar, oxygen sensors, canning, and bug-out bag.

We've been studying Paul's (second) letter to Timothy, and we've been focused on chapter three. If the difficult times that Paul talks about are what we have to look forward to (and they are) how then should we live? What should we do to live for Christ in those perilous times?

How will we survive what will be "savage" days that are headed our way?

Paul gives us a call to action in verse ten, when he draws a huge contrast by saying, "You, however...."

He has listed a catalog of sins like self-conceit, greed, boasting, disobedience, hate-filled, lacking forgiveness, slandering, and even denying the power of God. 

And Paul also called attention to the false teachers and leaders who will multiply and gain fame in the dangerous days ahead. 

"You, however."

We are called to be DIFFERENT!

It's as if Paul is speaking to us, too, and saying, "Hellooooooo. Remember that you were called by God to make a difference. To stand strong. Don't be discouraged, and don't let the world change you. Instead, you go out and by God's grace change the world!"

And then in the second half of the chapter, Paul suggests for us three practical survival strategies for the perilous days we live in.

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (vs 10-13)

The first strategy Paul provides is that we should make certain we are following godly leaders. This principle is rooted in the truth that we become like the people we associate with. Solomon said long ago that we have influence on those we choose as friends, and they influence us, too. (Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 6:4) 

If we follow along with the ungodly, we will become like them. If we follow the arrogant, we are likely to pick up their habits. Associating with greedy people will rub off on us, more than likely, and influence our attitudes. However, if we follow those who follow Jesus Christ, we are more likely to become like our Savior. Paul uses himself as an example:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. (II Timothy 3:10-11)

He's telling Timothy, "Follow me as I follow Christ. I'm not like the people we just discussed."  He draws Timothy's attention to the marks of a person following a godly life:

  • They have nothing to hide. Paul says "you know my ....life."
  • They teach truth. "You know my teaching."
  • They walk the walk. "You know my faith...love...patience."
  • They aren't afraid. "You know my sufferings and...persecution."

Regarding persecution, Paul points to his own suffering. In Iconium he was chased and almost stoned; in Lystra he was stoned and then left for dead. But he tells Timothy it doesn't matter:

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (v 12)

Paul's point is this: what happened to him will happen to all of us sooner or later.  It's happening around the world to Christians in Sudan, China, Indonesia, Iran, and many other countries. It will happen to those who live in the United States, the United Kingdom, and everywhere else sooner or later. No one is going to get a free pass. No one who follows Christ will be exempt.

It may not involve beatings, torture, or execution. Instead, it may involve ridicule, public humiliation, social rejection, and even existing as "second class" citizens. Whether persecution leaves inward or outward scars, it is coming.

Jesus told us:

 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:20a)

In order to survive the savage days ahead, we need to be prepared. Step One? We must have friends and counselors who follow Christ. We must have godly people to rely upon. 

More tomorrow.....

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