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“This know also, that is the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be…having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-2,5).
The “perilous times” described in the first few verses of this chapter are around us today, and it is not a description of that part of the world that largely follows false religions. No, it is a description of that part of the world that knew the gospel, but has given it up. The outward form is still there, for the Bible is still the moral basis of the laws and culture of those countries. Some people still go to church, but in most cases it is only a form of godliness. There is often no inward reality, and thus no power for real godliness.
The instruction here is to turn away from all this, for while it maintains the outward form of Christianity, these people are not truly saved, and thus are not indwelt with the Holy Spirit. There is no power for a godly walk before God, and worst of all, there is no heart for Christ. We cannot find any help or encouragement from such people. However, another verse gives us what we can do positively for them. We will look at this verse tomorrow.
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