LIFELINK DEVOTIONAL

Thursday, September 10, 2020

In our study of the Last Days we are focusing on the contrast between those who are in rebellion against God and those who have been redeemed by God. According to the Apostle Paul, evil is going to increase as people go from bad to worse.

2 Timothy 3:13  …while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

How are we to endure such times as these? The advice God gives the redeemed for how to live faithfully in the Last Days has not changed for two-thousand years. The Apostle Paul reiterates God’s survival plan when he writes the following to Timothy.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:14-17

I want to dig into these verses today and tomorrow so we can find the strength we need to stand strong as evil increases. Here are a couple of points for us to ponder today.

1. But as for you… Notice that Christ expects that we will be different from those who are going from bad to worse. By grace we have gone from bad to blessed, and Jesus encourages us to continue in the faith. Don’t be tempted or deceived into going back to sin. Keep moving towards the ultimate blessing of eternal glory with Christ.
2. …continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed… By the grace of God the redeemed have been given the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to understand God’s Word and to make application in our lives through obedience. This would be a good time to check how firmly we believe what the Scripture says by how well we trust it and obey it.
3. …knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings… I praise God for a family heritage of faith and that I learned the Scriptures from an early age. Some of you may not have that same heritage. Begin today to establish your family in the Gospel so that future generations, if Christ’s return allows for them, will be able to praise God for their heritage of faith as well. Family strength based on faith in Jesus Christ will be a crucial part of enduring the evil of the Last Days.

Tomorrow we will look at more, but spend some time reflecting on these three things today, and rejoice that God has provided everything we need to remain faithful to Him through His Living Word.

Pastor John