From Such Turn Away

"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” (II Tim. 3:1-5). It becomes evident with the last saying in this passage, that the apostle Paul was talking about RELIGIOUS people in the last days, and not just people in general. And while there can be no doubt that these things are true about people in general today, it is also true that religious folks who are not truly following God’s Spirit from their hearts, are going to be the same way. There simply is nowhere else to go. We can either follow after the righteousness of God through the power of his Spirit, or we will follow after sin and the condition and mind of the world. That is why he said they would have “a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.” There is no more overt way to deny the power of the gospel of Christ, than to not allow that power to purge sin from our hearts and minds (Tit. 2:11,12; Heb. 9:14). If we profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and even receive his holy Spirit; but do not follow after “righteousness and true holiness,” then we have simply denied the power of the Gospel (Eph. 4:24; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16). Being purified from sin and staying that way is the entire purpose of the gospel, and no other way will result in eternal salvation (Acts 15:8; I Jn. 3:2,3).

Unfortunately, the state of the body of Christ today is that being under dominion to the man-made traditions and doctrines of Christianity has left God’s people in sin, division, and overall weakness and spiritual ineptness. Gone are the days that we read about in the Bible: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:32,33). If God’s people are to return to this divine state, then the admonition of the apostle Paul will have to be obeyed in strict adherence, when he said; “From such turn away.” And there is more at stake individually for every member of God’s one congregation in the earth: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them” (Eph. 5:3-7). The “vain words” that the apostle warned the people to not be deceived by, are the words of a ‘Gospel’ that claims salvation for ‘Christians,’ who though they remain sinners, are still “saved by grace.” And “be not ye therefore partakers with them,” is the same as saying, “From such turn away.” Amen.