2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. (KJV)

Are you functioning from a religious obedience or as directed by God?

With each generation quotes 2 Timothy 3:1 and makes the statement, “we are living in the last days.” That statement is just as true today as it was in previous generations, “you are living in the last days”. Let’s take a moment and look at what it means to live in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:2- 5a For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 3 [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. (AMP)

You live in a time where anyone can say anything they want, anywhere they want, about anyone they want. Christians are going with the flow. There doesn’t seem to be a distinction between the standard of living for someone who is saved and someone who is not. In a response to this world, churches have become “legalistic”. The spiritual leaders of today don’t realize they are doing the same thing the Pharisees did with the Ten Commandments. They believe if they create enough things you “can’t do”, then you will uphold what God has ordained for you “to do”. Just like the Pharisees, they look and act like God’s people. However, they deny His power to work His will in everyone. It is an unhealthy time for your walk with the Lord, when your spiritual leaders think they are responsible for who you are and what you should and should not do. They are usurping the authority of God and, by doing so, add to the perils of these times. Your transition to the next level of training will happen when you learn how to successfully navigate these perilous times, trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit, first. 

2 Peter 3: 17b-18 Keep up your guard and don’t let unprincipled people pull you away from the sure ground of the truth with their lies and misunderstandings. 18 Instead, grow in grace and in the true knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Anointed, to whom be glory, now and until the coming of the new age. Amen. (TVT)

Your relationship with God is the foundation for your growth. It has to be real and personal. Don’t become confused and think that you are serving God when you are actually serving legalism.

Ephesians 4:14-15 And then our immaturity will end! And we will not be easily shaken by trouble, nor led astray by novel teachings or by the false doctrines of deceivers who teach clever lies. 15 But instead we will remain strong and always sincere in our love as we express the truth. All our direction and ministries will flow from Christ and lead us deeper into him, the anointed Head of his body, the church. (TPT)

Your responsibility is to continue to do what God is calling you to do: spend time with Him, study, worship and allow Him to lead. You will want to get guidance from those you feel are further along than you. Don’t mistake guidance with endorsement. You only need to be validated by the Lord.

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I am so thankful. Because of You, I can be at peace during perilous times. I thank You for giving me the strength not to be pulled to the left or to the right. I repent for the time I spent trying to please people instead of making sure I was pleasing You first. I stand on my growing knowledge of who You are and my desire to fulfill Your purpose for my life. Though I praise You for the Spiritual Leaders You chose to speak into in my life, I am grateful man-made rules and restrictions do not dictate my relationship with You. I know the leaders use Your word to guide, direct, protect, and discipline. As You lead me, receiving guidance, direction, protection, and discipline is, and will continue to be, my job as well. Because of the time I spend with You, You show me when I am moving in the wrong direction or when I have wrong thinking. Without You, I can become just like those in 2nd Timothy 3. Thank You for being faithful to light to my path, convict me when I am straying, and chastise me when I am wrong. That lets me know I am Your child. Your presence enables me to do what You have called me to do. I thank You for freedom; I thank You for liberty; I thank You for keeping me, and I won’t use the liberty and freedom You have provided callously or as an excuse to sin. Help me as I continue to follow You and as I lead others to You…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: