At church this past Sunday was a much needed wake up call in that our country today has rejected the moral authority of God. We are in perilous times being ruled by perilous men/women. Today’s society follows the world’s demands instead of God’s commands. Morality has become subjective while many churches have succumbed to appearing religious, but has no true submission to His word.
Let’s reflect on what Jesus said in Matthew 24 as he described the signs of the times and the end of the age. There is no nation that is beyond God’s accountability. There is no more time to be just a casual Christian. Jesus outlines what was foretold by Daniel the prophet in the Old Testament. He speaks to what the great tribulation will entail. But then he moves to words of comfort to know that He will return for his children. All who believe he died for our sins, resurrected, and will be coming back again. The warning is we do not know when He will return, but we are to be watchful so we can be prepared to remain faithful in the midst of it. God will eventually give the nations up to their evil.
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen” (Romans 1: 24-25).
The apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:
The warning:
1-warns us that this is the age where evil becomes aggressive where men will be lovers of themselves and pleasure
2-describes people not politics is the problem because when men reject the authority of God we become the authority.
-people know of God but refuse to honor Him as God
3-the warnings are personal requiring of believers to have Biblical discernment
4-people will exploit the spirituality of others, corrupt minds will resist truth, and there will be disapproval concerning faith
The shift:
5-do not follow the deceived as they deceive many
6-we are called to be a man/woman of God holding fast to doctrine, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, and perseverance
7-Paul connects to Timothy’s humanity by recounting his own life and how he discerned the cost as he confesses how the Lord delivered him
-we are not guaranteed from suffering but we are delivered through hardships
-persecution will come, but be wise to the evil
8-Paul tells Timothy to watch out for evil men and impostors
-to demonstrate your convictions even if it is costly
-we must continue in what we have learned: salvation = faith = Jesus Resurrection= His Return
-stay in the battle by holding fast to the Scriptures
-stay faithful in prayer
-remember that scripture is the strength and fortitude you can draw from as there is where truth will be found
Everything originates with God:
-Doctrine: the Bible is that authoritative guidance that shapes a person’s beliefs and daily lifestyle. True Biblical doctrine comes from God as an authoritative revelation of His character, will, and truth. Biblical doctrine is foundational: the nature and character of God (including the Trinity), human creation, sin, and the fall, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit and the life of the church, and Christ’s return and future redemption
-Reproof: means exposing sin, faulty beliefs, or straying behavior with clear evidence so a person recognizes they are wrong. Rather than harsh shaming, its purpose is to bring conviction and lead someone back to truth
-Correction: means restoring something that has fallen down or setting a crooked path straight again. Reproof points out what is wrong, correction provides the actionable repair needed to bring a person’s life or beliefs back into alignment with God’s truth
-Instruction: means ongoing, disciplined education that shapes a person’s character, habits, and daily behavior. Doctrine lays out the truth, instruction is the hands-on coaching that teaches a believer how to live out that truth consistently over time.
In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Greek work for instruction is paideia. In the ancient world, paideia referred to the complete upbringing, tutoring, and physical training of a child into a mature adult.
***Learn to live in the world but do not be of the world
Our country is at a crossroad so where do we go from here? Who is this Jesus to you?
It is essential that we look at the spiritual state of our nation. One of the most famous quotes by a Founding Father regarding the necessity of morality and religion for the state is from John Adams in an October 11, 1798 address to the militiamen of Massachusetts.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
George Washington (Farewell Address, 1796) declared religion and morality to be “indispensable supports” for political prosperity and human happiness.
James Madison asserted that republican government necessitates sufficient virtue for self-government, otherwise requiring the “chains of despotism” to prevent chaos.
The concluding sentence of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776:
“And for the support of the Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
The pledge fifty-six men signed knowingly committing an act of treason against Great Britain. If the revolution failed, they faced arrest, trial, and execution by hanging. The reality is many signers paid a heavy personal toll of imprisonment, ruined health, or the destruction and loss of their homes and estates during the war.
Beyond physical survival and material wealth, the term “sacred honor” meant staking their personal integrity, public reputation, and moral standing before the world, pledging that they would rather face total ruin than break their word or abandon the fight for self-governance.
Prayers for our nation. Prayers for what we pass down to the next generation. Prayers for steadfastness under all circumstances. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 7).
Blessings,
dreamsdontfade.com
I heard this song and it is just perfect for a time such as this. Jeremy Camp’s “Shaky Ground”
When all the world
Seems to pierce my soul
And fear and doubt they take control
Your tenderness it pulls me through
Your healing touch it makes me new
Even when I fall on shaky ground my heart will sing
Even when my strength it can’t be found my heart will sing
My heart will sing it is well
It is well with my soul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdAa4S9vKT4&list=RDzdAa4S9vKT4&start_radio=1