Mike’s Musings …..

Perilous Times

   “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” (2 Timothy 3:1) Indeed, such times are present, and they have been for at least the nearly seven decades of my life. I believe mine is the last generation born, that has lived at least one year without the United States being at war somewhere in the world. (1954 was the last year the U.S. was not involved in a war somewhere in the world.) It seems incredible that our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have never breathed a breath of “peace” as the world might observe “peace.” However, most of us are well past thirty years of age who remember the staggering realities of 9-11-2001. Thus, there exists a younger generation whose understanding of “wars and rumors of wars” is more a “matter of fact way of life” than an understanding of “critical conflict between mankind regarding ideologies.” As one war veteran stated after his discharge, “For the next war, let the leaders of the opposing countries come to a field and duke it out themselves!”  Indeed!

   But is war and/or the perilous events seen this past week in Afghanistan the fulfillment of Paul’s statement at 2 Timothy 3:1? Read the context: selfishness, covetousness, bragging, rebellion, disobedience to parents, lack of gratitude, unholiness, hatred, trucebreakers, liars, intemperance, brutality, haters of good, traitors, recklessness, conceit, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power of God – these are the sins Paul says constitute “perilous times.” These are the things he, by inspiration, tells us to avoid! (verse 5) Are the current events we see on the news “perilous times?” Yes, but by OUR perspective – not by God’s! The downfall of mankind in this or any nation stems from acceptance of such evils as here listed, rather than the defeat of such evil! Note in the continued reading of the text, (vss. 6 – 8) the influence of such evil is both subtle and swift, gaining the support of weak minds, minds who oppose God’s truth, depraved minds, faith rejecting minds!

   But “they will make no further progress: for their folly will be obvious to all …” (vs. 9) Muse on how that happens: Only when we Christians stand for ONLY the truth of God’s word and accept nothing less in our homes, our families, yea, our lives! May I submit this is PRECISELY the meaning of Galatians 2:20 and Colossians 3:1-17? Muse on that need in these perilous times!