In the third chapter of his second letter to Timothy written just before his death, Paul warned the young evangelist that in the last days perilous times would come (vs 1). Men would come to love themselves and the things that would give them pleasure more that they would love God (vss 2-4). Note the words “MORE than they would love God.” This shows that church people would love God, but that they would love the things of the world more. One of their sins would be that they would be “despisers of good.” In the Institutional Church nothing is more loathed and rejected than God’s Truth and those who minister it. If one of the apostles should come to life and speak to modern churchites he would be equally despised and rejected. His words would be declared heresy and he himself would be the object of ridicule. Because of their attitude toward the Bible, modern parishioners are described in verse 5 as having a form of godliness but denying its power. Notice the words “form of GODLINESS.” These false christians exhibit all the trappings of righteousness–church-going, cross-wearing, Bible-toting, Scripture-quoting, preaching, etc.– but are, as Jesus said, “whited sepulchers” who show much goodness on the outside but inside are filled with rottenness (Mat. 22:27). Paul summarizes God’s evaluation of these people as “… always learning (about God) but never able to come to (accept) the knowledge of the Truth” (vs 7). He told Timothy that last day churchers would know the Truth, but would reject it in favor of their own versions. What is the solution to this dilemma? God tells us.
Nature abhors a vacuum. Our minds (hearts) are at all times filled with something. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 to fill out minds with things that are good, profitable, honest, just, virtuous, etc. We are to concentrate on these types of things. But Satan has other plans for us. He wants to fill our minds with “… the things of man” (Mat. 16:23). God whispers; Satan screams. God calls; Satan pulls. God’s voice is still and small; Satan’s voice is hyper and large. Parishioners hear Satan’s voice every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. God’s saints hear His voice in the quietness of secluded Bible study. We learn what He says to us by studying the Words He placed in the hearts of His prophets and apostles who transcribed them for us in the form of His Holy Bible.
In Second Peter 3:1 Peter tells us to “stir up” our minds by studying the epistles he wrote to the church. Why? So that we “… may be mindful of the Words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior” (vs 2). In verse 6 he admonishes us to meditate on God’s inspired Word, thereby making us “mindful of the Words” of those whom He has chosen to show us His Way. In Psalm 1:2 we learn that David meditated on God’s Word “day and night.” God instructs us on how to approach His Word in Joshua 1:8: “This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.” In Psalm 119:97 David proclaims, “O how I love thy Law. It is my meditation all the day.” The son of Jesse continues: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14). Then in Psalm 139:23,24 he wrote: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Here is a man who had his priorities straight. Having been forgiven for his horrendous sins, David made certain that sin was never again part of his life by filling his heart/mind with the Words of God. Paul speaks to us concerning our heart condition in Second Corinthians 10:5: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Note that we are, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to cast out everything Satan tries to place in our minds, for such is “… against the knowledge of (about) God.” Also, we are to emulate the obedience of Christ in “all things” (2 Cor. 2:9).
All sin begins in the mind (James 1:14,15). First Satan places a thought therein. The thought, if left in the mind, then germinates (conceives), takes root and produces the fruit of sin. The key is to be so in tuned with God that the instant an evil thought enters it is recognized and rejected. The key is to overcome evil (bad thought) by recognizing it and replacing it with good (Rom. 12:21).
Sanctification means to be set aside by God for holy use. Jesus asked God to sanctify His apostles (and all saints). How did He say this would be accomplished? “Sanctify them by THY TRUTH; THY WORD IS TRUTH” (Jn. 17:17). As God’s true saints, we are set aside. Through our spiritual walk we remain apart from the world while living in the world. The purpose of this is so that we will shine as God’s “… light of the world” (Mat. 5:14). In 5:16 He tells us to “Let your light so shine before men (the world), that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” For a true saint of God, this is the only purpose for our existence. The things of this world are meaningless. If you haven’t done so already, ask God to remove from your mind any and all cravings for and addictions to such things. He will if you are serious. It is amazing how useless and meaningless worldly things will become. The bigger God becomes, the small becomes the world. But remember, an empty heart needs to be filled with God’s Word, which is Jesus Christ in written form. Then your light will shine before men. But do not expect them to like your light. Rather, they will hate it. See Persecution. But when judgment comes, they will confess that you were right. L.J.
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