Mark My Words

One of the passages I read for my Sunday sermon was II Timothy 3:1-9. Even though the passage was not my entire sermon, it just kept coming back to me this week. I couldn't get away from how the Apostle Paul started out by saying , "Mark this...." (NIV) , "But know this..." (NKJV), or "Don't be naive...there are difficult times ahead..." (The Message). It definitely implies this will surely happen. Yet, we don't seem to pay much attention to these verses hidden in the midst of the book of Timothy.

The Apostle Paul described what it will be like in the last days. People, both Believers and pre-Believers, will find themselves in various levels of giving into self. For many who 'think' they are believers, they are simply holding to a form of godliness but denying the power of God. A form of godliness is just a form of religion. True Godliness is based on a relationship with God.

Paul advises us to be careful of this influence. The influence which finds us wanting to please ourselves rather than please God and follow His ways. It is not so much staying away from people or a person, but rather the "Spirit of the Age." Some may come in the name of Christianity, but if they are not acknowledging God's sovereignity in our lives than they are simply playing "Christian dress up."

So I kept thinking, what can we do to guard ourselves? As I read further, II Timothy 3:10-17, I found the key. It is simply that we need to ..."continue in the things we have learned"...."know who you are learning from" and "know the scripture." Don't depart from the foundational truths of the Word of God. Seek Him and Him only!!