"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 such people."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)Paul warned Timothy that the last days would be terrible times, marked by people who love themselves, love money, and love pleasure more than God, holding a form of godliness while denying its power. We live in that kind of world. Yet we are called to remain faithful, because God is faithful to us. Hebrews 10:23 urges us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Faithfulness is not only about what we stay out of. It is also about what we do, and Peter and John show us how when they stood before the high priest and elders (Acts 4:19-23).
Four steps stand out from their example. First, they lived in the sight of God, and remembering that He sees us keeps us mindful of what we say and do. Second, they reasoned respectfully with their detractors rather than being talked out of their faith. Third, they declared what they had seen and heard, making clear what they stood for based on God's Word. Fourth, they went back to their companions and reported what had happened. As Christ's ambassadors, we need that last step most of all. Sometimes the detractor is our own desires, and we must pray for strength to stand. Find faithful friends who can encourage you, exhort one another so that no one is hardened by sin's deceit (Hebrews 3:12-13), and keep meeting together to stir up love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Lord, keep me faithful in a perilous world. Help me to live in Your sight, to speak up respectfully for what I believe, and to stand firm even when my own desires pull me away. Surround me with faithful friends who strengthen me, and let me do the same for them. Amen.