“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
But know this: In the last days there will be terrible times. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, not able to reconcile with others, slanderous, without self-control, savage, haters of what is good, treacherous, reckless, puffed up with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such people. For some of them are people who worm their way into households and gain control over vulnerable women who are overwhelmed with sins, led astray by various evil desires, always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
This is why we, who would remain faithful, should daily pray for the Lord of Hosts to prepare us for what lies ahead.
When Mother Theresa was asked how an individual can help make the world a better place, her answer was “Go home and love your family.” I would add that we should love our family first, then our various extended families, such as our church family, those we work with, those we come in contact with often, such as the clerk at the grocery store, and then our local government, and on from there.
Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
So we are to start locally and then expand our reach.
St. Peter reminded us, “Speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.” – 1 Peter 3:16
We must not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.
God also said, “My word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty. Rather, it will accomplish whatever I please, and it will succeed in the purpose for whih I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11
Sometimes God’s purpose for sending his word is to call sinners to repentence and save them. Sometimes his purpose is to allow unrepentant sinners to condemn themselves. We must remember that he commanded us only to preach the Word. We must leave the results of the preaching to the Holy Spirit.