2 Timothy 3:2 - the last word

“The Last Days and Holiness”

(2 Timothy 3:2, November 6, 2011)

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, ...

unholy

In these “last days” of the gospel era, which is that period of many years between the first coming and second coming of Jesus Christ, the good news of Jesus is being proclaimed everywhere. But not all the news of this era is good. The fact is that during this great time of gospel opportunity, many people will be unholy.

The unholiness described here is irreverence. The whole category of God, the godly, and godliness will be denied by many people. As so many Israelites in the wilderness resented the special position of Moses and Aaron, people in the last days will resent the fact of Jesus and the special love of Christ for the church.

The idea of a Creator who is different from the things He has created will not only be viewed as in error factually, but hateful and harmful morally. The account of a Redeemer who would return as a Judge against anyone will be written off as backward and mean-spirited. Many will insist that all must be one in every sense. There will be no room in their view of life for the “God” who is above all and over all in power and in love.

People will be irreverent. People will be unholy.

This will be true outside of the church, but it will also be found inside the church. Moses took off His sandals before the voice of God in the desert. Many people will be unwilling to take off their sandals anywhere. There will be no holy ground for them, for there will be no holy One for them.

holy

But we cannot wish away God just by rejecting Him. He is the “I-AM.” Jesus knew this. The way to oneness between the Creator and the creature can only be found in Him.

Jesus was reverent. He was willing to fulfill all righteousness in submitting to a sinner's baptism, though He knew no sin. But He was not willing to pretend agreement with the religious self-righteousness of the Pharisees.

He had the greatest zeal for the Holy One of Israel. He was and forever is the Holy One of Israel.

In Him, the church is holy. We are reverent before Him. We use His Name with respect, and love His bride, the church. We are holy, for Jesus, our life, is holy.