A Call to Action

If you take a look around…from the world headlines, the local news to our texting phones, there is plenty of evidence of what the Bible describes as the “end times”. Technology has made so much information available. And with all this going on, I often think the end could be near, or, our existence as we know it will soon cease. Now I am not trying to be the next Harold Camping for I believe according to Matthew 24:36 that only God knows the day and the hour that this world will stop. The Bible is truth on this topic.

Moving on... While reading 2 Timothy 3: 1 – 5, I was struck by the similarities of these verses that were written ages ago, compared to the world we live in today. It also made me stop and think about how this could be used as a call to action. See what you think:

2 Timothy 3: 1) You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2) For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 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!

After reading that, what comes to your mind? To me, this reading strongly reflects the times we are living in today. It also prompts me to see an opportunity for both believers and non-believers.

The Good News for a non-believer is that there IS a power that can make us Godly; a power that will draw us away from the deadly pursuit of our own pleasures and proud natures, away from the sin that can potentially keep us apart from God eternally. This life of freedom can only be accomplished with the FREE gift of Jesus and his work on the cross. The power of the Holy Spirit is given to us when we personally invite Jesus Christ into our hearts as we accept his forgiveness and turn away from our sins. By submitting ourselves fully to God, His Spirit transforms our lives and our hearts and minds. Bottom line is, we simply cannot clean up good enough for God on our own. We need a savior. We need Jesus.

So what does this say to the believer? One who is growing in Christ? Take another look back to Paul's specific descriptions of the hard times that will be faced during the last days. (verses 1-5 above) It is hard to deny that the times we live in today are what Paul warned Timothy about in his letter. That in mind, I believe that Paul's letter also serves as a call to action for believers regardless of the year or generation we are living in.

One powerful way to act is to pray. The Republican Party recently held their first national debate on national television to introduce us to the politicians who have declared their intentions of running for the office of the President of the United States. This is a time for us to be on our knees on behalf our country and world. It’s time for us to pray for God to put His people in the positions to lead our local governments, state governments, national government, our schools, universities and even churches. Given the state of these verses, our current “condition”, how can we afford NOT to pray? The consequences make me shudder. Let us use this charge… as a catalyst - a call to action - for change and for the good to make a difference while we can.

Submitted by: Janelle Keith and Lloyd Rachels

You can read more from Janelle Keith at:
http://janellekeith.blogspot.com
http://www.janellekeith.com