MEMORISE: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15...
READ: 2nd Timothy 3:1-5.
1. THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
1. THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
MESSAGE
Our Bible reading today reveals some strange characteristics of the last days
that should in no wise be mentioned among children of God. Unfortunately, many
of these behaviours dominate the Church today. Frankly speaking, behaviours such as being a lover
of self, blaspheming, being unholy, treachery and loving of pleasures beyond loving God,
more accurately described ungodly people (atheists). But because professed
Christians are found among those who openly manifest and defend such behaviours today, the
designation “Christian Atheists” has become necessary. Christian atheists are therefore
professing Christians who believe, act and defend behaviours and characteristics
that are contrary to Christian values as recorded in the Bible. The most noticeable error of a Christian atheist is commitment to the philosophy and
ways of the world. They profess to be Christians but find it easy to identify
with the world in principle, word, action and general worldview. This is contrary
to the word of God in James 4:4 that says, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know
ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore
will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” And the admonition of Titus
2:12 “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world;” Furthermore, preoccupation with the things of this
world is incompatible with holy living. The commitment of the Christian atheist
to the world is especially seen in the area of materialism and worldliness,
which the word of God warns against in 1st John 2:15. This commitment of the world
leads to disappointment, failure, physical and spiritual loss, and ultimately God’s judgment (Luke 9:25, Ephesians 5:6). Perilous times are
here! The right attitude to take in times as these is to heed the admonition of the word of God
in Romans 12:1-2, by resisting the temptation to conform to the standards of this
world. Rather, we should seek to be transformed into the image of Christ by the
renewing of our minds.
PRAYER POINT: Father, please expose every atheistic tendency in the body
of Christ and rid your Church of all contrary behaviours in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 4-6 AND REVELATION 2:1-17.
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