By Jim Schneider, Executive Director, VCY America
We live in a time of great turmoil and conflict. The war on Biblical values is intense. Secularism and
socialism are growing in dominance. The family structure is disintegrating. Individuals who have
professed Christianity are walking away from the faith they once proclaimed. Troubling? Indeed!
However, these matters should not take us by surprise.
Nearly 2000 years ago the apostle Paul wrote in his last epistle warning the young pastor Timothy, “that
in the last days perilous times shall come.” (II Timothy3:1) In the next several verses Paul revealed the
characteristics that marked such times. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:” (3:2-
5) These verses mirror daily newspaper headlines as well as the lead stories that dominate our local
news. All across the nation and around the world, these verses significantly describe the very issues we
face today.
It doesn’t stop there. Paul also warned that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived.” (3:13) In other words, things are not going to get better and better, but
will continue to deteriorate both morally and spiritually. Indeed, the levels of deception are growing and
have encroached in our government, in schools, in the home, in the media, and sadly even in many
churches.
Paul reminded Timothy that times would not be easy, and that to live godly meant one should expect
persecution. This persecution would also intensify as the perilous times continued to unfold.
The question remains, “How should I respond in such times?” Is it time to ride the coattails of those
who are abandoning the faith? Is it time to go silent and not speak out? Do we become secret Christians
limiting our Christianity to our houses of worship? Do we pack up our Bibles and our Christian witness
and place them in a closet so as not to offend our culture? Afterall, who wants to be called “hateful” or
“judgmental?”
Thankfully Paul expressed to Timothy what to do in such times. “But continue thou in the things which
thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a
child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.” (3:14-15) Amidst the perilous times, Paul tells Timothy to continue in the very
Word he had been taught through the godly influence of his mother, his grandmother and from Paul
himself.
When the world is telling us to stop living our faith, we must CONTINUE! When court decisions
undermine marriage and definitions of male and female, we must CONTINUE! When others walk away
from their proclaimed faith, we must CONTINUE! When we are told “go back to your church,” we
must CONTINUE! When society becomes intolerant of Christianity, we must CONTINUE!
Indeed, our foundation is the inspired Word of God. It is God-breathed. God’s Word declares to us what
is right, what is not right, how to get right and how to stay right.
Paul not only declared that Timothy was to continue in the faith, but also instructed Timothy to “Preach
the word;” (4:2) He warned that there would come a time in which sound Biblical teaching would not be
endured or tolerated. He warned of false teachers that would come and tickle the ears of congregants,
and that people would “be turned unto fables.”
Sadly we see far too many examples of this happening before our eyes. Pulpits that once proclaimed,
“Thus saith the Lord!” have been transformed to “Yea, hath God said?” How critical it is for us to
continue in the faith! We must continue in God’s inspired Word, the source of Truth.
We have been warned these times would come. We have been warned that the hearts of men would give
sway to the sins of this world. We have been warned that deception would take place. We have been
warned persecution would come.
Our purpose in being on this earth is not for popularity or notoriety. Our purpose is not to live a life of
ease free from hardship. Our purpose is to glorify God, to serve Him, and to stay faithful.
May our life be a fulfillment of what Paul declared: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love
his appearing.” (4:7-8)
So amidst this storm if you’re tempted to abandon ship, my dear friend, CONTINUE ON!
