"Power Robbers"

It is hard for many to accept that the New Testament Scriptures were written for the church! Paul warns Timothy that in the church, among God's people, there will be difficult, perilous times (II Tim. 3:1-5). God's people will become wicked. That is hard for many to accept, however, let's look in the passage what makes for perilous times.

"For men will be 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 rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."

Let's make one quick point. Many today say you can't judge another. You have to make judgments in order to "avoid such men as these." People need to be better students of their Bibles! (I'll save this for another day.) The reason one must avoid such people in the church (he is talking to Timothy about the church) that have these characteristics is because they will affect you if you walk with them!

Let's notice another thing mentioned. "Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power." It is easy to look spiritual and religious! People wear Christianity like a coat. It's just a covering, a shell. Outwardly they can say the right things, speak using religious terms and "amen" those with whom they agree. But godliness is not their life. They have denied the power! There is power involved with God. Too many try to control situations and outcomes in their lives. They have little power to overcome in difficulties other than what they can muster. People that "hold to a form of godliness" give themselves away by the things listed that are practiced in their lives. One doesn't have to have all the things listed. If any of them are part of us, that speaks volumes about us.

Notice the first thing listed: "lovers of self". One quick note. How many do you hear say that in order to love others, you must first love yourself? What does that tell us? In order to find the power of God, self must go (Matt. 16:24).

I'll not deal with each one listed but let's make a few observances about some of them and you can apply the others. "Unholy" deals with the way you live your life. Taking your life serious and not treating things or the church as common. Holiness is a life lived in reverence and respect for God and others. "Irreconcilable" is where someone will not yield to forgiving another and coming together. Some people hold so much bitterness in their heart toward another that they refuse to be reconciled. We see this in marriages where one or maybe both refuse the other no matter what. It will cost them their soul. "Brutal" is neither sensitive, nor merciful or any sympathy. It is savagery! I have met those in Christ who abuse their mates or children in their home. "Treacherous" is the idea of betrayal. It can involve one not keeping their word to taking advantage of others and situations. "Reckless" is a person that is headstrong and obstinate. They will not be influenced by wise advice. They just do things the way they want and it doesn't matter who gets hurt or the outcome. People that are reckless never consider the consequences of their actions or choices. They do what they do because that's what they want to do.

I realize it is hard to believe this happens in the church, but it does. It more prevalent than we think. Too many are hiding, faking their lives. They act one way at the assembly and a completely different way in their daily living. It is people like this that cause difficulties for God and the church. I pray we will look closely at our relationship with our Lord and move away from the things that will hurt us spiritually. If not, God says they must be avoided!