August 10, 2023 | Martin Luther – Day 9
“The church has no pest more harmful than a godless teacher, a godless and false prophet, a heretic. No poison is deadlier than godless doctrine.”
Martin Luther
Paul warns Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 that in the last days there will be Godlessness. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-7).
Unfortunately, today, much of this has infiltrated even our churches. Pastors shaping Scripture to support their own unchristian agenda, church leaders fighting for things that blatantly defy God’s Word, teachers disrespecting God by furthering worldly desires. It’s no wonder that many feel that we are witnessing the signs of our own demise.
Because of this misleading, many are falling away and those who remain steadfast are facing trials, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). So, in a dying world, what is the believer to do?
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
He goes on to tell young pastor Timothy to continue to get the Word out and to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). This calling of Timothy is also a calling for all who believe we live in a world of Godlessness. Even as the world seems to fall away from God, we are called to catch them with the Gospel message. Even as Christianity faces persecution we are called to be bold in faith and persistent in prayer.
Today, make it a goal to reach at least one unbeliever with the Gospel message. Be open to adversity and, if you face it, meet it with kindness and patience wrapped in conviction.
Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us for leading people astray by our words and our actions. Help us to remain steadfast in the belief of all You have taught us and use us to further your kingdom here on earth. Amen.
