"Difficult Times"

  It's hard to understand at times how people can be so vicious and mean. It's hard to contemplate how people can do so much harm toward another without any conscience about what they do. It's hard to realize that there are evil workers. Oh, I realize we see this in the world all the time but I am speaking of the church. Some of the most difficult times are created by brethren. 

  Whether it's hard or not to understand, it happens and will continue to happen. Paul warned the Philippians to beware of the evil workers (Phil. 3:2). John wrote about a fellow named Diotrephes who literally "ran" the church and was called evil (III John 9-11). Paul warned the timid Timothy about Alexander the coppersmith and told him to be on guard (II Tim. 4:14-15). Then we find a list of people, not in the world but that would appear in the church that will cause difficult 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." (II Tim. 3:2-5)

  What a list! Upon reading it is easy to point to the world and say we see that all the time. This is within the ranks of the Lord's body! What's worse, those who are such do not see themselves as such but their dispositions, their attitudes and drives gives them away. It can make people timid. They can make people cower but bottom line, they have no power!! The Lord doesn't stand behind these attitudes and actions. The only source they have is themselves! That's why they act the way they do. 

  Be humble. Trust is the Lord when you see such actions among those who claim Jesus as their Lord. I have no clue as to why some feel to need to push, rebel and try to control others by wicked words and gossip. It makes your work a little more difficult but remember, Jesus is Lord! Don't quit! Don't give up! Don't flinch! Jesus said there will be difficult times and if He knows it because He inspired His apostle to pen it down, He also has control of it all. "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Rom. 8:37)