Today, Paul tells us that in the last days, things will not get better; in fact, they will get worse. People will sin more; things will be harder and more challenging. It won’t be easy. Is working for good a hopeless task? Will we be able to accomplish anything worthwhile? Is it even worth it to try? We are reminded today that while we can’t change everything, every small act of faithfulness in our lives makes a big difference, even to just a single person. It can change their life. And God can do great things with just one life.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

If you’d like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up.

Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.

You can read today’s passage here.

You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning. It’s a pleasure to be with you on this Thursday morning as we delve into Second Timothy. Today, we’ll be exploring Second Timothy chapter three, verses one through nine. I’m Andy Stoddard, the lead pastor at St. Matthew United Methodist Church. Let’s take a few moments together to unpack God’s Word and glean insights from Paul’s message in this passage.

Let’s begin by reading Second Timothy chapter three, verses one through nine:

“You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them, for among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, who are always being instructed and can never arrive at the knowledge of the truth. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith also oppose the truth. But they will not make much progress because, as in the case of these two men, their folly will become plain to everyone.”

This passage highlights the challenging times that will prevail in the last days. It’s a reminder that the world we live in will be fraught with difficulties and moral decay. Despite this reality, we’re called to maintain hope and continue working towards God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

There’s a tension we navigate as Christians when confronted with the evil in the world. On one hand, we recognize that perfection is unattainable this side of heaven. The world will be imperfect, filled with unrighteousness and strife. However, we also pray for God’s will to be realized on earth, striving for righteousness amidst the chaos.

An anecdote about a boy rescuing starfish stranded on a beach illustrates our role in making a difference, one life at a time. While we may not solve all the world’s problems, we can impact individuals through acts of kindness and love.

Paul’s mention of holding to the outward form of godliness without embracing its power resonates with John Wesley’s concern about religion devoid of spiritual vitality. It’s a reminder to cultivate a living faith empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than mere religious observance.

Paul’s list of sins serves as a reminder of the universality of human frailty. We’re all susceptible to sin and must rely on the Spirit to convict and guide us towards repentance.

Ultimately, Paul assures us that despite the challenges, God will prevail. Our task is to remain faithful and committed to doing good wherever we are, trusting God to address what we cannot fix.

In conclusion, let’s strive to be faithful and proactive in doing good, trusting in God’s sovereignty over the challenges we face. Thank you for joining me today, and I look forward to continuing our exploration of Second Timothy tomorrow. Have a blessed day.