2 Timothy 3:3 - heartless

“The Last Days and the Heart of Jesus Christ”

(2 Timothy 3:2, November 13, 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,

3 heartless, ...

heartless

In the period that the Scriptures call “the last days” as we wait for the culmination of God's eternal purpose in the new heavens and the new earth, many people will be devoid of even natural affections. They will be heartless.

This will be true, at times, even among those who believe in Jesus Christ. It will be as if they are unplugged from some very important source of blessing that grants all people normal affections for their own families. They will seem to have no new water from heaven in their souls.

Sometimes they might be aware of this. Other times this awareness might escape them. In that second case, natural family affections expressed by others might seem to them to be extravagant, extreme, and even a bit unseemly.

The last days are called the last days because something is coming to an end. The period of existence that began with the creation of this present world will come to a close. Even the creation itself is groaning today. It is tired. We are all waiting for the revealing of something so entirely renewed that it can fit into God's promise, “Behold, I make all things new.”

Death has come into this world. The world is tired.

A new heart

Thankfully, Christ has granted to us even now a generous taste of the age to come. His full heart for His family is not content that you remain unfeeling. He is the source of right and full affections.

Even this gift comes from His blood.

It is very unusual that one death could bring so much life into a world that had become so darkened by a plague of death. It is odd that death would be defeated by one death. But this is what has happened. Death has been put to death through the death of the Son of God.

Yes, there are many heartless people in the church, people devoid of natural affections for their families, and for the Lord's family. You do not have to be like them. Jesus invites you to ask Him for heavenly life from Him today and every day, that your joy may be fill.

Heartless people in the church might tell you that asking for joy like that is a little extreme. Love them, but do not fall into their heartlessness.