Thrive Ministries International

Paul compares Timothy to these immoral men. He says Timothy has been taught the writings from his childhood. This writings of the Old Testament brought wisdom which led him the faith in Christ.

Morally bad men and deceivers will continue to grow worse. They will not let up but will continue to persecute anyone living godly in Christ.

When we live godly lives because we are in Christ Jesus we will be persecuted. That is guaranteed.

When persecution and suffering for our faith come we need to rest assured that God is with us and will rescue us as He has determined.

Paul is an example of perseverance to us all. Perseverance means to stand under a load. We need to stand under the load that we have been given, the responsibilities of of our lives. We do this with God's help.

The love that Paul is talking about is a noun. This type of love is not an emotion but comes to us by God. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is unconditional, never ending, the love of God expressed through us.

Patience means to grit your teeth and never give up. Paul gave us an example of patience that we should follow. He was patient to the end.

Paul gave us an example of faith in his doctrine, his exercise of faith but also in his faithfulness to Jesus.

What does your leaders conduct tell you. Have you examined their conduct before you followed them? What is their purpose of the reason why they do what they do? Is it to serve God and then people?

Paul tells the people to follow his teaching. That means to follow closely and to examine his life. We as believers need to not only follow teaching but we also need to examine it.

The way we stop these men who have a form or godliness but deny its power, is to stand up and speak the truth. The freedom that truth brings will make obvious the deeds of these men.

The men who deny God's power will also oppose the truth. It is the truth that makes people free. These are like to two sorcerer that opposed Moses when he was trying to set Israel free.

Some of the men that look godly but deny God's power will take weak women captive. These women are made weak by sin.

The Bible teaches us that there are certain people we should not be associated with. We are commanded to avoid the people who exhibit the characteristics of the people in the last days.

In the last days people will look like they are godly on the outside but there will be a absence of the power of God in them.

vIn the last days people will have a deep affection for pleasure and it will replace their affection for God.

In the last days people will be so conceited that they will do foolish and demented things.

Reckless is a description of people in the last days. They will plunge head long into things without thinking of the consequences.

The people of the last days will be betrayers. They will betray a person for their own benefit. Be aware and prepared for these people.

The people of the last days will not have an affection for doing good. They will be completely void of this affection or love.