2 Timothy – Week 5 – Day 4

READ 

2 Timothy 3:3-5 

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 

A chief characteristic in the end times will be what people love. They will be self-lovers, money lovers and pleasure lovers rather than God lovers. Note they “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” Does one get closer to them or further away? Paul says you should stay away from such people.  

REFLECT 

Does this help you to see the difference of having only religion and not a relationship with Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Judas Iscariot was an excellent example of what Paul was describing. He lived with the disciples for three years and did all they were doing. At the last supper when Jesus said a person would betray him, the others were not suspicious of Judas, and each wondered if he was guilty (see Matthew 26:20-22). For what will happen to unbelievers like Judas see Matthew 7:22-23.