Look with me at 2 Timothy 3:1 – 5. In verse 1 Paul makes a general statement that he then unpacks in the next eight verses.
Paul warns Timothy, and by extension us, that things do not get better. In fact, the last days, based on Paul’s description, seems to be a lush Petri dish for the growth of evil men and imposters.
Paul’s description of these men is detailed and reads like the character traits of some of our more prominent celebrities, politicians, and, unfortunately, some who present themselves as ministers of the gospel:
But what makes this more incredibly and deeply horrifying is Paul’s summation in verse 5. Those whom he is describing with this list view their life as “godly”. They profess godliness. Paul tells us that they don’t get it, but they are presenting themselves as godly while living out the reality of Paul’s list.
But they are not content to simply live a life of “godliness”. They are looking for disciples. We will look more closely at that tomorrow.
Paul’s description of these men is detailed and reads like the character traits of some of our more prominent celebrities, politicians, and, unfortunately, some who present themselves as ministers of the gospel:
- Lovers of self
- Lovers of money
- Boastful
- Arrogant
- Revilers
- Disobedient to parents
- Ungrateful
- Unholy
- Unloving
- Irreconcilable
- Malicious gossips
- Without self –control
- Brutal
- Haters of good
- Treacherous
- Reckless
- Conceited
- Lovers of pleasure
- Not lovers of God
But what makes this more incredibly and deeply horrifying is Paul’s summation in verse 5. Those whom he is describing with this list view their life as “godly”. They profess godliness. Paul tells us that they don’t get it, but they are presenting themselves as godly while living out the reality of Paul’s list.
But they are not content to simply live a life of “godliness”. They are looking for disciples. We will look more closely at that tomorrow.
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