My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we are going to reflect on the words of the apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verses 1-2. Paul writes, "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy."
These words were written nearly two thousand years ago, but they are just as relevant today as they were then. We are living in a time of great moral and spiritual decline, where people are consumed with their own desires and pleasures, rather than seeking to live according to God's will.
Paul warns us that in the last days, there will be times of difficulty. We are certainly living in such times, with wars and conflicts, natural disasters, and a general sense of unrest and uncertainty in the world. But even more troubling is the moral decay that is evident all around us.
People today are indeed lovers of self, putting their own interests and desires above all else. They are lovers of money, seeking wealth and material possessions at the expense of their relationships with God and others. They are proud and arrogant, thinking highly of themselves and looking down on those who are different from them. They are abusive and disobedient, showing disrespect and disregard for authority and for the sanctity of life.
But as followers of Christ, we are called to be different. We are called to be a light in the darkness, to be a beacon of hope and love in a world that is filled with selfishness and sin. We are called to be humble and obedient, to show love and compassion to all, and to live lives that are pleasing to God.
Let us not be swayed by the ways of the world, but let us stand firm in our faith and live according to God's word. Let us be examples of Christ's love and grace to those around us, and let us pray for the strength and courage to resist the temptations and pressures of this world.
May we be faithful and steadfast in our walk with the Lord, knowing that He is with us always, guiding and protecting us through all the trials and tribulations of this life. May we be a shining light in the darkness, pointing others to the hope and salvation that is found in Jesus Christ.
Amen.