STRATFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST COLUMN
Stratford church of Christ The Bible discusses three distinct ages: the Patriarchal Age, the Mosaic Age, and the Christian Age. Both the Old Testament and New Testament have references to the “last days” which always refers to the Christian Age. This is the period of time that extends from the cross of Jesus until the end of life on this earth.
It is in reference to this last age that the apostle Paul writes concerning the actions of society. The Roman society of his day was extremely wicked.
Many of the things written about those days biblically and historically often reflect on our society today.
Notice Paul’s words of 2 Timothy 3:1-4.
“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.”
While living in this last age, many societies have seen these very descriptions as a part of their generation. As we look around at our own generation, we find many of these descriptions once again being demonstrated. What does the Bible instruct about living in such a time?
“Do not love the world or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
The history of this world has demonstrated the end result of societies that have chosen to live against God’s teachings. “As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7).
In order to please God, we must be sure not to conform ourselves to the standards of today’s society. Romans 12:2 states, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The temptation to conform to the sinful ways of this world always exists, but a person will do so at the expense of their own destruction.
To change society for the better, we must begin in our homes. As a youth, Timothy had been taught the word of God by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). There had been a vast difference made in his life because of his upbringing. Our homes are always benefitted by being built on God’s word.
In 2 Timothy 3:14, 15, Paul wrote to Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
There was a great difference in Timothy’s life because the word of God had been taught to him.
Paul wrote concerning the kind of example he was to be to others. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Each of us must choose whether to live in the ways of our permissive society, or in the ways of God. Many contemporaries may be encouraging us to “catch up with 21st century society,” but never forget that Satan still acts in this world. 1 Peter 5:8 still warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
But God desires salvation for us instead. That is why He sent Jesus on our behalf (John 3:16). Our being obedient to the Lord’s word is so serious to Jesus, that He forewarned us of the Day of Judgment. He told us that His word will be the standard by which each of us will be judged (John 12:48).
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Following God’s word will make a great difference in our permissive society.
But it must begin with you.
