2Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
There are Four important things to note at the start of these two verses we just read, we've already covered the first three so now we will cover the fourth.
4) The places where this persecution is likely to occur: Vs 13
a. In the world (Since evil people aren’t likely to be found in churches it stands to reason that they would be encountered in our day to day affairs in this world. The work place, schools, the market place, our communities where we interact with people outside our church community.)
b. In the church (Imposters are pretenders and to be such they must be found in an environment where they can pretend to be what they are not. This means we should expect to sometimes encounter persecution even within the church when it involves an encounter with an imposter.)
Because of the growing threat regarding the ones desiring to live godly lives in Christ Jesus, a threat which is directly tied to the eminent worsening condition of the opposition that will be surrounding them, advice is given here that should be heeded by anyone who is serious about following Christ in these last days.
Consider the nature of corruption and decay if you will.
Ever noticed something that has been weakened by decay?
Would you be willing to cross a deep gorge on a dry rotted and frayed suspended rope bridge?
The ever worsening condition of evil men and imposters will be such that they will be like a dry rotted and frayed suspended rope bridge to all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. They will seek to deceive those of us committed to Christ in an attempt to validate themselves, and the way they live. They will be very convincing since they will be deceived themselves already and therefore deeply believe what they practice to be true. They actually believe the lies they have embraced and can be passionate and sincere about them. It would be foolish for us to refuse to heed the counsel of Scripture regarding this.
2Timothy 4:1¶ I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
