“Understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God” (3:1-4). Furthermore, Paul writes, “Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (3:12).
“But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:13-15).
Makes us very glad for the promises of Romans 9, doesn’t it? “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose . . . What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28-32).
Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
‘Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell–
All is well! all is well! --William Clayton (1871)
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