It seems that every day we read or hear about attacks on family values, Christian values, traditional values. At every turn we see our faith attacked in the "public square". From polititcians to actors/actresses we see the push to further erode the foundation for what is right and true. Daily our nation becomes less of what it was originally founded to be. It sickens me to see people accept the garbage that is expelled from the mouths of those who are viewed as authorities or people in power. These same people degrade those who hold Christian, traditional and family values as being ignorant, intolerant and simple minded. Let me refer back to some verses I used last week relating to the end times, then we'll look at some additional verses from the same chapter of 2 Timothy...
2 Timothy 3
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Man, does that sound like America today? Lets read on beginning in verse 12...
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Even in Paul's day, he recognized how society around him was degrading, becoming less Godly. Even then, he warned that there would be a price to pay for our beliefs and holding Godly values. Just as in his day, we must be aware, informed of how the world around us is becoming hostile to our beliefs and values. We must make increased efforts to know what we believe and stand for what we believe. Too often we are good at complaining about such things (gays in the military, etc.) but how often do we do something about it? Below is a link to a website where you can find more information about how our values are being eroded, sign a petition and get more information about what you as a Christian can do to take a stand.
http://manhattandeclaration.org/home.aspx
