©2003 Charles Darby
2 Tim 3:1- 5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Most, who believe, teach and live according to the Word of God, know that we are living in the last days of this age. Christ will soon return for His bride.
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, told us what would be taking place in the closing of this age. Please understand, Dear Reader, this is speaking of and to churches. Within churches these things are taking place. The world has always lived in the lust of their flesh. Now, in many churches, it's taught that anything and everything is all right. If it seems right, do it. If you enjoy it; it is OK. If you have made a profession of faith and joined their church, nothing you can do will cause you to miss heaven. Wonder, if this were true, why Jesus (in Rev. 3:5) told some He would blot their name out of the book of life if they didn't make some changes? A form of the gospel will not change lives, The Gospel will.
2 Tim 4:1- 5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
You might ask what should a minister of God do. First and foremost they must preach The Word. Do it when it's convenient and when it's not. These want to please God not people. We are to sow the seed, The Word of God. It's God's job to give the increase. We get so “success” oriented that we think that if we aren't building a big congregation we are not in God's will. That is a lie of the devil. Not all good seed will produce a good crop. It must find good ground and receive proper care as well. Jeremiah, in the Old Testament, had few converts if any although he was a man of God.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Should we just run those out of the church who are not living like the word says? Jesus said let the wheat and the tares grow together and He would divide the good from the bad. The bad will be burned.
Let me make this suggestion. If you are in a church where those in leadership are not teaching and living according to the Word of God, get out and find one that does. If the head is sick the whole body will be as well. If you are looking for a church where all that attend are “living right” forget it! I don't believe it exists on this earth. The church is a place to reach the lost and feed the children of God. The lost need to come into the family and the children should grow up.
True ministry, anointed of The Holy Spirit, will reprove sin and tell you to repent and let the blood of Jesus cleanse you of all sin. That is The Gospel of Power. This ministry will reprove those who are not living as they should but do it with love. These will also be longsuffering. They keep praying for those who oppose the truth and refuse to repent. These ministers love the Lord and show it by keeping His commandments. These also love those who are saved and those who are not. True ministers love you too much to pat you on the back and tell you it's all right to live in a known sin. Sin brings death and they don't want this to happen. True ministers will weep for the lost and for those who are in a storm of life.
These are not working for money or material blessings but rather are laying up treasure in heaven. God will supply all their needs here. They are yoked with The Lord and working with Him.
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Thank you for reading.
