Two Assignments in Perilous Times
2 Timothy 3:3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!We live in the perilous times that Paul indicated "will come." Perilous is defined as: Hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce, savage. The biblical Greek word carries the idea of “reducing strength”
We don’t need anything that reduces our strength. We need God, people, and principles that help increase strength in every area of life. Compromise and bad behavior within relationships, family, or personal character all contribute to "perilous times."
The Apostle Paul offered insight for "increasing strength." Philippians 2:15, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
As believers in Christ, we find two assignments from this text:
1) Hold forth the word of life: We have the opportunity to engage a culture full of negative, hateful words, with a "word of life" through Christ.
2) Shine as lights: Our world and society needs to see shining examples of God's love and life. Dark places need light.
