Tag: 2 Timothy 3:5

Any Day Now – Day 29

On May 6, 2024

2 Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

As I first read these verses (above) when I was first saved in 1980, I could not “see” this happening in the Church yet. Now, 44 years later, I see it so clearly! This is why Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that they were not in the end times yet because a great falling away had not occurred yet:

2Th 2:2-3 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Current events are proof to us that we are in the end times. When we look at the church today in comparison to early American days, we see that people have been drawn away from the Scriptures. The Scriptures can change the heart and draw the unsaved to salvation in Christ. We see people who are more interested in listening to a motivational speaker like Joel Osteen than hearing and learning the Scriptures. This is the “falling away” which is also called apostasy. It simply means they have turned away from the original foundation of the Scriptures. They prefer to hear messages that make them feel good so as not to expose their sin. They appear religious because they are “attending church” – having a “form of godliness”! Can you put your name here? Please, I beg of you, keep reading!

2 Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Those who “profess” Christ but are not born again fit perfectly in this passage. Joel Osteen is known to pastor the largest church in our country. He says he’s not there to preach the negative but to preach the positive. What does the Bible say about preaching of this kind? Jesus preached on the negatives and made it clear that one must be born again (John 3:3, 3:7). He pointed out sin to the woman at the well. He preached about Hell. The whole Gospel must be preached, not just the feel good stuff. It would be like only potato chips three times a day. You would not have a balanced diet and you would become malnourished, lacking vitamins and proper nutrition. The long-term effects of such a diet would lead to clogged arteries and death. It’s not any different from hearing only the positives. This also will make you spiritually malnourished and will lead to spiritual death and eternity in Hell.

If you sit in a church service long enough and truly listen to what is being preached, you can tell if what you’re hearing is appealing to your flesh or pricking your heart. The single most important truth of Scripture is that God loves you and wants you to be saved. The truth of 2 Timothy 4:4 is just that: Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the life!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

No one can enter Heaven except by Him. The Gospel message on how to be saved is the core of Christianity. After salvation, the Bible becomes the best self-help book there is! It teaches you all about God, His plan and His character (Old Testament), His wonderful salvation (New Testament), how to live our lives (i.e., the Book of James for example), etc. However, the Bible will mean nothing to the reader without salvation.

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

I heard a lot of people talking about salvation when I was first saved in 1980. Now, not so much. Fortunately, the church I attend is blessed to have a Pastor that believes in preaching about it. When you look through YouTube, you hear many preachers who don’t. But if the Pandemic brought out anything good is that we now have on-line preachers who stand on the Word of God!

There has never been more “other ways to get to heaven” than today. That path is only through Jesus Christ and Him only. Some churches have added to this doctrine and claim there are a bunch of things you have to do or you have to have another book to go along with the Bible. Jesus made it quite clear what needed to be done in one Book and that is His Holy Word alone. If we see these signs of the end times, does it not stand to reason that the Rapture is at the door? It seemed “at the door” when I was first saved; all the more now. Now I see clearly that in 1980, the total apostasy had yet to arrive. It surely has arrived now.

Let’s get back on topic of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. In the world today, there are many religions. According to reference.com, it is mind boggling how many there are:

The precise number of religions in the world is not known, but available estimates show the number to be about 4,300, according to Adherents.com.
HTTPS://WWW.REFERENCE.COM/WORLD-VIEW/TOTAL-NUMBER-RELIGIONS-WORLD-FF89AE17C6068514

Wow! Pay attention to what verse 4 says! If these religions are not preaching Christ as the only way to Heaven, they are preaching fables to their congregation and adding to this great falling away. Unfortunately, many fables are preached in “Christian” congregations as well. The United Methodist Church has announced that they will marry homosexuals. They also allow homosexual pastors. That is why it is so important for us to be familiar with our Bibles so that we can easily spot errors quickly. The Lord God would not lie to us nor would he have many roads to Heaven. If He did, what would have been the point of Christ coming to earth to die for our sins?

2 Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This tells us to study ourselves approved unto God, not to be approved by men! Study what? The answer is the word of truth! Jesus tells us what “the word of truth” is as He’s praying to His Father in Heaven:

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

God’s Word, the Bible, is truth. If the Bible is truth, then all other books or man-made doctrines are not! Is it any wonder why in these end times there is a great falling away? This great apostasy has been around for a while but it is a lot more noticeable now! Those who are part of the apostasy have turned away their ears from the Truth (God’s Holy Word) and they only listen to what makes them feel good. One only has to read Revelation chapters 2 and 3 which have the letters to the different churches of John’s time. Jesus had much to say about them.

The hearts of man today don’t want revival because of the times we live in. The times are evil and the hearts of men are primed for these end times and the Tribulation. They will follow the one world religion because they cannot discern what is truth. Hopefully this pricks the searching heart today and one person will want to be saved. If you are this person, don’t give in to the fables of this world.

2 Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You may say that this has been going on for a long time and things are no different today. However, the Bible says that apostasy will increase more and more. Paul warned of this:

2 Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Be honest, is this you? Are you part of the apostasy of the end times? It’s not too late to change that. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Are We in the End Times? Day 20

By Kate Plourde

On December 9, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

(2Ti 3:5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Good morning! There are times that I am excited to sit at my laptop and embark on the writing for the day. I look forward to writing but I must say it is not always enjoyable. I’m led to humbly beg God: Heavenly Father, my heart weighs heavy on today’s topic! I pray that You will illuminate and inspire so that the words written are not of my own fleshly thoughts but those inspired by You, Lord. Please have mercy on those who read it and guide them through Your words. Inspire them with the Truth of those words and show them the Blessed light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. In Him, we receive His grace to be saved and I am so grateful for that grace and mercy. I don’t deserve salvation but I praise You for providing Your own Son to die for me so that I may spend eternity with You! I ask all these things in Christ’s precious and beloved Name! Amen!

Oh my word, today’s verse is one that truly disturbs me to my core! I shudder because the end times will be a time of godlessness. However, this verse says they will have a “form of godliness.” I see this godliness to be a deception, don’t you? One that has been culminating over the past few decades and now will be epitomized as the one-world religion. Do you remember when I previously shared with you how Satan is disguised as an angel of light? He and his workers will lead many to believe they are on the right path.

(2 Co 11:14-15) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

These end times are riddled with this type of religious person. They go to church and sit in their pew. They listen to the preaching but don’t change. Some churches have a short homily and the attendees leave just as sinful as when they first went in. What’s worse is that their pastor or minister is in the same sinful state as his congregants.

I challenge you, readers, to seek the Scriptures for yourself and prove me wrong. It is no small thing that the devil uses today’s sin in verse 5 to lead many astray! Please don’t be one of them!

This form of godliness is hypocrisy! It reminds me of the Pharisees in Jesus’ days. This was a display of religion on the outside and the devil on the inside. Paul tells us in today’s verse to turn away from people like this! Jesus didn’t mince words at all. He said:

(Mat 23:15) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
(Mat 23:27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

The hypocrite plays at religion and does it well. He may know his Bible, he may even be able to show you the plan of salvation. But hidden in his heart is deception. This is what we are seeing today. Tele-evangelists preaching but only to receive money! They are “religious salesmen” at best. They twist God’s holy Word to meet their own lustful needs.

It is so sad to me because the unbelieving world sees this hypocrisy and thinks all Christianity is like this. IF you are like this “Christian” and think yourself saved, you must search your heart! If you say that Christ dwells in you, are a reprobate?

(2 Co 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

A reprobate is one who is totally abandoned himself to sin. He first tasted the truth of the Gospel but never actually allowed that seed to be sown on the good soil of his heart. It was good for a time. This was evident in the Corinthian church – they were known as a very carnal church. Many were not saved yet they were accepted into the church and spreading their sin. Paul had to reprimand them several times for their worldliness.

Examine yourself, Christian. If you find yourself straying in your faith, you must first humble yourself and ask the Lord’s forgiveness. Repent of this form of godliness and hypocrisy and turn from your wicked ways. It is Christ’s life that we are to pattern ourselves after, amen? It is your life that the unsaved world is looking at to see Christ. You are first a “walking Bible” that people are looking at.

Now if you are not born again, no amount of going to church or doing good things makes you a Christian. You can sit in your garage 24-7 but it will not make you a car! It doesn’t matter if you belong to the biggest or best church on earth. Membership is not a pre-requisite to going to Heaven. Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to His baptism:

(Mat 3:7-9) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: (9) And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

If your spouse is born again and you’re not, you won’t be able to hold his/her hand when the Rapture happens! My husband said that to me many years ago. He thought it was funny then but it’s not funny at all. Each one of us has to make an individual and personal choice to either accept or reject Christ’s death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. The Bible says that there has to be shed blood/death in order for there to be salvation:

(Mat 26:28) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Jesus had to die in order to shed His own blood because the blood of lambs could not forgive sins. These sacrifices were a teaching tool pointing the Jews to their Messiah, Who would die and shed His own blood for their sins. Reader, we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God! (Romans 3:23). The penalty for not accepting Christ’s salvation through His blood is death.

(Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Eze 18:4) Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

You cannot be part of a church or take part in that church’s rules and rituals and expect to go to Heaven. This is not how the Bible says it must be. Take a look at each of those rules/rituals. Does your church say you have to be baptized? Death is not required to partake in baptism. Does your church say you have to have to be a member? Death is not required here either. Does your church say you have to do good works? Again, death is not required.

The only time death was required was when Christ died on the cross and His shed blood as forgiveness for your sin. Once you accept His payment for the price of your penalties, your sins are forgiven and you are born again! The first time you were born, you were born in the flesh. This time, you are born of the spirit! There’s a saying I once heard and I love how it explains the difference:

Born once, die twice; born twice, die once!

I don’t know who said it but it’s quite applicable. If you insist on having a form of godliness and denying the power thereof, you will die twice; once at your physical death and again at your spiritual death when you are judged by God and cast into the Lake of Fire.

(Rev 20:11-15) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

If you are born twice (at birth and when you’re born again), you die a physical death but then your soul automatically goes to Heaven and you will not suffer that second death!

(Php 4:3) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
(2 Co 5:8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!