Faith in the Last Days

Be wary of false teachers, be disciplined in the Walk and be disciplined in your Walk.

Watch out for Deceitful Teachers

The “Last Days” of scripture began with the ascension of Jesus Christ. It is a time characterized by selfishness, godlessness, and wickedness.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

Paul’s concern in 1 Timothy is for the deception that would create chaos in the church.

The Spirit gave warning about the deceitful teachers that would creep into the church and create division, leading people astray.

Acts 20:28–31 ESV

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

The false teaching in Paul’s day was legalistic ascetism. It tries to prove one’s on righteousness through works that God has not prescribed. It has a “form of godliness, but denies its power.”

1, 2 Timothy, Titus (3) An Argument for Blessing Food (4:5)

legalism destroys gratitude toward God. Legalists show such concern for practicing the negative that they fail to appreciate God’s positive provisions. Legalism cannot endure long in the presence of an attitude of thanksgiving to God for his created gifts and marvelous institutions.

Be Disciplined in the Word

Faith comes by hearing the word of God. A servant of Christ must be disciplined by the Word.

Take in the word with an attitude of hearing what the Lord would speak to you!

Hebrews 5:14 “14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

Be Disciplined in Your Walk

Godliness is rooted in a deep reverence for the Lord and a desire to be pleasing to him. Legalism is rooted in a desire for man’s approval.

Paul exhorted Timothy to exercise (the word from which we get gymnasium).

Bodily exercise is important and has some benefit, but spiritual strength has eternal benefits!

Godliness is rooted in an abiding hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of all, especially those who believe.

Who are you listening to? Are you regularly taking in the word of God?

How is your walk? Do you live with a desire to please the Lord in all things?