There are many times when you read the scriptures that the writers will prophesy about times that are ahead. Sometimes those prophesies speak about a time that has already passed for those of us living today but there are times when they reach right into the day we live in.

Today as I was reading Paul’s second letter to Timothy there were a couple of prophetic statements which hit me right between the eyes. Paul absolutely nails the culture that we are a part of today when it comes to our current spiritual and emotional state. Read the first 5 verses of chapter 3.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

There’s not many words on that list that aren’t true.

We have built a culture of self fulfilment rather than God reliance, money is one of the most powerful gods of our age, we are told to ‘sell’ ourselves, we don’t like admitting we are wrong, we cut people down so we feel bigger, parents are blamed for our problems, we are entitled, we don’t fear God, we’re more interested in relationship transaction than covenant, we’re bent on revenge, willing to ‘call out’ anyone online, we are slaves to our feelings, addicted to instant gratification, on the constant pursuit of happiness, but willing to call ourselves spiritual, a church goer, or even a Christian without having any expectation that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Ouch

I think Paul might have hit the nail on the head here.

I’m not ‘world bashing’ here. This isn’t something I am aiming at a society outside the church. I have lots of grace there because they haven’t encountered the truth of Jesus. No, these things are alive and well within the church, within all of us who follow Jesus if we are honest.

But just in case you disagree with me and believe those passage is pointing at someone else who is ‘outside the church’ Paul adds this into chapter 4 to confront us again.

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Ouch. Again.

Oh Lord, bring us back to who and where we were meant to be. Forgive us for wanting your word to suit us and form around us rather than the other way around.