Bible Reading: 2 Kings 13; 2 Timothy 3; Hosea 5 & 6; Psalm 119:145-176
2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
This will be the state of things in this world prior to the coming of Jesus Christ for his church. The world will not get better and better. It will go as it did in the days of Noah. The above list from the Word of God is a depressing thing if we focus on if for a long time. It seems that self love will dominate the world as men love themselves. Now modern psychology is constantly telling us that we need to develop self-esteem, but the Bible says:
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Followers of Jesus are to exhibit humility and love others above themselves. Modern psychology is setting the world up for the kind of depravity the Bible tells us is coming! The list continues and has all facets of what self-love is all about. Please notice that men will be unthankful. With Thanksgiving approaching we should ask ourselves what we are thankful for and to Whom are we thankful for what we have.
Please notice toward the end of the list, the apostle says me will be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Since the first and greatest commandment is to love God (Mark 12:29-30), we really ought to check our lives on this one. Do we worship God above all else? Do we obey him? Jesus said:
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
If you have the commandments of Jesus and keep them you love him, but if you do not keep them – do you really love Jesus? I realize that no one keeps them perfectly. Let’s focus on pleasures for a moment. Would you rather watch sports on gather with God’s church on the Lord’s Day? Would you rather enjoy your hobby or read God’s Word?
What in your life has the potential for you to love it more than you love God?
He is worthy of all our love and the Bible says:
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
True pleasures are found at the right hand of God – where Jesus is seated!
In Christ,
Rody
