2 Timothy 3

“But know this: difficult times will come in the last days.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness [religion] but denying its power.  Avoid these people!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (HCSB)

The first American President I remember was Gerald Ford.  He was the only president not to be elected as vice president or president, and he manned the helm during a turbulent time in our nation’s history.  For that, I am thankful.

Shortly after Ford’s death, on the CBS Early Show, Charles Gibson interviewed the Ford family’s Episcopal Priest, Robert Certain.  The discussion soon turned to comments Ford had made to reporter Bob Woodward, criticizing the Bush administration.  President Ford had asked that his comments not be published until his passing.

As the priest and Mr. Gibson discussed Ford’s political stance on Iraq, the conversation turned toward moral issues.  Soon, Mr. Certain was bashing what he called the “radical religious right.” (Let me be clear that I do not “carte blanche” endorse anyone or any organization.  Rather, I weigh everyone’s claims by my understanding of the Bible.)

That said, the Episcopal priest began to denounce anyone who believed the Bible’s claims against homosexuality and several other moral issues.  He went on to say that the “golden rule” (do unto others…) was present in the writings of over 20 world religions, and no religion has any exclusive claims to absolute truth.

I could not believe this man was allowed to shepherd a Sunday school class, much less a Head of State!  

Wearing his black suit and priest’s collar, he looked very authoritarian.  Reading 2 Timothy 3 is sobering.  In the last days, men will hold to the form of religion but deny its power.  They are lovers of convenience more than lovers of God.  “From such people, turn away!”

Nobody knows when Jesus will return, but I am convinced we are living in the last days.  Thank you for your commitment to read God’s Word, and to share it with whomever He leads your way.  As it was to Paul and Timothy, it has been given to us to be guardians of the Gospel.  We must not add to or take away from God’s Word and distance ourselves from those who do.  This is so that the Gospel, as the Lord has designed it, would retain its integrity and thus its power to save in our generation.