2 Timothy 3:1-5
Just before I retired from the Air Force in 2010, we thought it would be fun to do one final family trip. It would culminate not only my Air Force career, but also our time living in Germany, and the last time before we would become empty nesters as our oldest graduated from high school that same year. We took a cruise that sailed out of Pisa, Italy, and would take us to Croatia, Greece, and Turkey. While all our excursions were amazing, our stops in Turkey were truly amazing. One of the excursions took us to Ephesus. To walk in the steps of biblical history was incredible. But funnily enough, one of the things that sticks out to me the most was not the ruins, but the shops outside the ruins. Local vendors were selling the wares (or as I like to call them, “trinkets and trash”). Of course, you can’t not buy something to have as a keepsake from the area. Just recognize you get what you pay for, recognizing that none of it is really authentic…and was probably made in China. But one vendor was at least up front about what he was selling. The sign outside his store read “Genuine new antique watches.” The irony alone made me want to at least look, because often, what we think we have is not what it seems at all. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, cautioned his young protégé that not all people are what they seem. Then, as now, we must be cautious with whom we choose to associate with and even call friends. This isn’t being cynical, just realistic. And it’s been a challenge from the very beginning. I like to call it a healthy sense of skepticism. Paul is warning Timothy that in the last days there will be “terrible times.” He proceeds to outline what can be expected and ends in verse 5 with “Have nothing to do with these people.” Understand he is not saying that some are not worth hearing the Gospel, for all mankind needs to hear it, but rather stay away from those who would use the gospel message for their own gain. They twist and contort God’s truth to fit false narratives. We can and often do become like those with whom we choose to associate. There are many false or imitation gospels. We all have seen so-called ministries that are nothing more than money grabs or attempts to justify perverse lifestyles because God “made them that way.” There is one and only one litmus test by which to measure truth: God’s Word. Paul’s warning is just as relevant and needs to be heeded just as much by us as it was by Timothy. Be warned and be proactive. Christ is indeed coming. We don’t know when, and we must be ready.
Just before I retired from the Air Force in 2010, we thought it would be fun to do one final family trip. It would culminate not only my Air Force career, but also our time living in Germany, and the last time before we would become empty nesters as our oldest graduated from high school that same year. We took a cruise that sailed out of Pisa, Italy, and would take us to Croatia, Greece, and Turkey. While all our excursions were amazing, our stops in Turkey were truly amazing. One of the excursions took us to Ephesus. To walk in the steps of biblical history was incredible. But funnily enough, one of the things that sticks out to me the most was not the ruins, but the shops outside the ruins. Local vendors were selling the wares (or as I like to call them, “trinkets and trash”). Of course, you can’t not buy something to have as a keepsake from the area. Just recognize you get what you pay for, recognizing that none of it is really authentic…and was probably made in China. But one vendor was at least up front about what he was selling. The sign outside his store read “Genuine new antique watches.” The irony alone made me want to at least look, because often, what we think we have is not what it seems at all. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, cautioned his young protégé that not all people are what they seem. Then, as now, we must be cautious with whom we choose to associate with and even call friends. This isn’t being cynical, just realistic. And it’s been a challenge from the very beginning. I like to call it a healthy sense of skepticism. Paul is warning Timothy that in the last days there will be “terrible times.” He proceeds to outline what can be expected and ends in verse 5 with “Have nothing to do with these people.” Understand he is not saying that some are not worth hearing the Gospel, for all mankind needs to hear it, but rather stay away from those who would use the gospel message for their own gain. They twist and contort God’s truth to fit false narratives. We can and often do become like those with whom we choose to associate. There are many false or imitation gospels. We all have seen so-called ministries that are nothing more than money grabs or attempts to justify perverse lifestyles because God “made them that way.” There is one and only one litmus test by which to measure truth: God’s Word. Paul’s warning is just as relevant and needs to be heeded just as much by us as it was by Timothy. Be warned and be proactive. Christ is indeed coming. We don’t know when, and we must be ready.
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