GODLESSNESS IN THE LAST DAYS
As the clock winds down on a car, it becomes noisier, emits more fumes, has less fuel efficiency, is no longer as reliable as it used to be and finally the wheels come off and the car is discarded, being no longer usable. As the clock winds down on the world we live in, godlessness becomes increasingly evident. Paul points out some characteristics of such times in his letter to Timothy.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)
Loving God no longer a priority: Man has been created by God to be sustained by a love relationship with God that takes priority over all else. However, during the last days, this primary love is replaced by a love for self, money and pleasure. When we take a look around us, this is very true of our times. Looking good, not growing old, amassing wealth, satisfying our senses, are all dominant themes in today’s world. Many are so absorbed with themselves that they no longer want to even have children, because children demand our time, money and sacrifice. None of these are necessarily wrong, but they find their right place only when a love for God dominates our lives.
Lack of humility: Humility is the ability to have the right viewpoint of self. We did not receive this life by our choice and we don’t control our destiny either in this life or beyond. That clarity coupled with a love for God will help man to submit before God and prioritize him rather than self. Failure to do that leads to selfishness and espousing a path of pride, abusiveness, treachery and brutality, which are all too common in our world today.
A form of godliness without its power: Imagine a person who knows the power of fire, but refuses to come anywhere near fire of any sort, because he does not want to feel the heat or get burnt. All he would do is wear a T-shirt with a picture of a flame. Similar is the condition of many who acknowledge that God exists and that through faith in Christ a deeper life leading to salvation is possible. However, for fear of being affected by the fire of God, he is content to have a form of religiosity, but does not want to get too close to God. He knows God but does not want to experience God. A form of lukewarm religiosity follows which God warns about in Revelation as a warning to the Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:15,16).
Paul reminds us to be discerning and persevere in the midst of deterioration, fixing our eyes on the eternity that awaits those who truly believe and cherish God.
