How to Maintain Your Christian Faith in Today's Chaotic World

Living in difficult times as a christian

We see in 2 Timothy chapter 3 that in the last days there will be very difficult times. Paul is referring the last days to Timothy. As you read you can feel Paul's urgency in speaking of these days.

We see the list that Paul is making as he is teaching Timothy the behavior to be expected in the last days.

Pauls List

*Don't give in to society's pressures.

*Don't settle for comfort without commitment.

*Stand up against evil by living as God wanted his people to live.

*Confess any behaviors mentioned here that you have been guilty of

*Be wary of people who exhibit these qualities

We see in 3:4 an example of what Paul is saying. They will betray their friends ,be reckless, be puffed up with pride and love pleasure more than God.

It’s very tempting to love pleasure  rather than God. Why , because we can control it . God cant be controlled.

Pleasure can be obtained very easily in today’s world. Our love for God requires an effort. Not only effort but sometimes a sacrifice . Pleasure is filled with pride. It not only makes us feel good but also makes us feel good in others eyes.

Pleasure is dangerous when we seek it apart from God.

Paul's advice for Timothy was to have nothing to do with these types of people. What types of people are we talking about. Paul lists this out very carefully.

He says don't be deceived  by people who only appear to be Christians. It may be difficult at first to see who the true Christians are but Paul says , we will know by their daily behavior . It will be clear that they will try to be God on their own.

Paul had another warning for Timothy. He was encouraging Timothy to avoid being led astray himself as well as

To encourage new believers to read their bibles daily. When we open our bibles is when God speaks to us . When we read and are stopped when we know that verse is just for us. God speaks through His word. That is why it's so important to get your daily "feeding" . Open the bible and listen to what God has to say to you!

Many of us Christians would come up with excuses to not be able to find time to read the bible. It doesn’t take long read a chapter a day let it sit with you, resonate with you, dwell on that scripture. Pray and ask God to help you to understand these words and how you can apply them to your life daily.

Friends we have to draw close to God. This world seems to have gone crazy. Professing Christians who "act" like they are the elect and chosen. Follow up on the scriptures they are teaching . If it is not lining up with scripture in the bible then you'll know that this is a false teacher of God's word.

Just because we live in this world doesn't mean we have to conform to it. We the chosen the elect the true and faithful followers of Jesus willl be set apart. We will be the ones who can't be lead astray. We need to seek the truth of our Lord and Savior as our lives depended on it.

We can also see that Paul is saying that society will be difficult times. We are known to be living in the last days. The Holy Spirit will help us in these trying time. To be able to steer clear of the enemy and his attacks. God is preparing us for what is coming. We are not to be fear feal in this time. instead we are to be clear minded so we can dodge the attacks of the enemy.

Paul is telling us how we can prepare ourselves in this dark world we live in .

Time is running out and we are in a battle!

We MUST cling and cleave to Jesus. We must read our bibles daily and APPLY the word to our lives.

We must prepare our family and children of the next generation.

We must fight the good fight of faith.

We must be good disciples

We Must spread the good news

Yes there will be struggles thats just a fact . BUT how we struggle matters. How we let things affect us matters. How much we complain matters.

Earlier on in 2 Timothy, we learn these great words of Paul as he is speaking to Timothy. Pauls says guard the good deposit though the Holy Spirit who live in us.

We can see the Character of God in 2 Timothy

God is powerful 1:8

God is a promise keeper 1:1

God is wise 2:19

We must boldly  profess Jesus as our suffering savior. He was and is to come. He's work is active , it's alive and it's available today for you and I.

Where is your heart today? Are you struggling to know Jesus ? Or are you drawing closer to Him each day as this world grows darker ?

Let's Pray

Father , Thank you for your word that is alive and active today. Thank for you, your mercy, and your grace . I never deserved anything that you did for me . I boldly  come to you to see more of you and less of me. I pray to be you this side of heaven with skin on . I pray to be more like Paul who suffered for you . May my suffering be a blessing. That I can find joy in my suffering. May your glory reach down and touch my heart as others see you instead of me. May we continue to stand on your word. That we never conform to this wicked world. Help us to see the enemy coming and we say I see him coming and say he has nothing on me. You are our model you are our standard. Help us to draw near you . That we seek , knock , and ask. May we come to you before we seek the advice of the flesh. I pray we always put you first in our lives each day. For the power and glory are yours Father. We pray in your Holy, magnificent  name.

Amen