"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 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: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

A sign of the times!

You can read through today's verses and see these things everywhere you look. This world has become worshippers of self. Anything that caters to the flesh (the carnal nature of man) is being exalted, promoted, condoned, and dismissed as no concern of ours.

As Christians we must wake up. We've got to stand against the spirit of the age by living a life holy and sanctified unto God. No, it doesn't come easy or without a price. It's living a life of sacrifice, giving up what caters to the flesh to gain an eternal reward.

First, we need to sanctify our lives. Take a good look at what grabs our attention and consumes our time. Are our priorities in order? Are we compromising by allowing ungodly habits and lifestyles to continue? Is God the reason for every breath we take? In other words, we need to do a spiritual house-cleaning and turn away from anything that would make us appear to be lovers of self more than lovers of God.

Next, we need to sanctify our homes, guard what comes in through the door, through the radio, through the mail, through the television, through the internet. We have a responsibility. We must take it seriously; ignoring it won't make it go away. If we cannot control what is allowed in by the television, unplug it or get rid of it and the same rule applies to the radio, the internet, etc. The Lord holds us responsible for what enters our homes. Does anything gain entrance that would make us appear to be lovers of self more than lovers of God?

Living a sanctified life, a life set apart to God, is needed now more than ever. The Psalmist declared that he wouldn't offer anything to God that cost him nothing. If we are to offer our lives to Him totally and completely, we must be prepared for the cost. The cost is living a life holy and sanctified unto Him!

Father, I look at my life and see so many areas where I have compromised and allowed pleasure to dictate my behavior. Lord, I offer myself to You once again. Cleanse me, purge me, purify me with Your refining fire. Just as the Hebrew children cleansed all leaven from their homes (leaven representing sin), Father help me to cleanse all ungodliness from my heart, my home, and live a life sanctified unto You. I love You, Lord! Amen!

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:23)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved