2 Timothy 3:1–5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

Paul wrote these words of caution to a young preacher 2000 years ago. And these words have proved to be prophetic, prophecy that has been fulfilled over and over again in our world.  We recognize the truth of these words when we observe the world in which we live today. So many claim to be “godly” but deny the Scriptures that the disagree with, picking and choosing what they want to believe. It is a way to justify their sin in their own minds.

Martin Luther wrote these words about this second letter Paul sent to Timothy: “But he prophesies especially … concerning the perilous time at the end of the world. It is then that a false spiritual life will lead all the world astray, with an outward show, under which every sort of wickedness and wrong will have its fling. Sad to say! we now see this prophecy of St. Paul all too amply fulfilled in our clergy” (Luther’s Works 35:389).  Luther saw the fulfillment in his day as well.

Thanks be to God this is not the primary thrust of Paul’s letter. Yes, he warned Timothy about the dangers of unbelief and the denying the truth of God’s Word. He did so to encourage that young pastor to be faithful to the truth that had been shared with him, the message Paul proclaimed and that Timothy proclaimed as well.

2 Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Our lives as followers of Jesus are totally dependent on the grace of God. It is grace that saves us. It is grace that empowers us to live as God’s children. It by grace alone that we will enter God’s presence and be able to stand. That is the message we continue to rejoice in today and that needs to be continually proclaimed.

By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul, believe, and doubt it not.
Why stagger at this word of promise?
Hath Scripture ever falsehood taught?
Nay; then this word must true remain;
By grace thou, too, shalt heav’n obtain.

By grace God’s Son, our only Savior,
Came down to earth to bear our sin.
Was it because of thine own merit
That Jesus died thy soul to win?
Nay, it was grace, and grace alone,
That bro’t Him from His heave’nly throne.

By grace! This ground of faith is certain;
So long as God is true, it stands.
What saints have penned by inspiration,
What in His Word our God commands,
What our whole faith must rest upon,
Is grace alone, grace in His Son.

By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying;
In Jesus’ promise I rejoice;
For though I know my heart’s condition,
I also know my Savior’s voice.
My heart is glad, all grief has flown,
Since I am save by grace alone.

(The Lutheran Hymnal #373, stanzas 1,4,5 & 7)