Observation: Paul describes the people in the last days with a significant list of sinful, prideful traits. He then summarizes how such traits manifest with this ... these people effectively claim themselves to have the form - control, authority, wisdom - of God, and that this 'form' has come to them as a result of their manifest authority in the world, while simultaneously denying that God himself, who created them and gave them authority in the world, has any control, authority, or wisdom.
As Paul says, the ultimate sign of the fallen world will be that mankind will hold in their hands documented information about how the Lord has given them life, understanding, and the personal authority to do with it what they please, and they will both agree that they have life and understanding and authority, but deny that such things were given to them.
Application: While Paul's words were likely always true for a subset of mankind throughout history - before and after Christ - they certainly echo loudest today. As my wife and I learn about more of our friends whose children have declared themselves to be of opposite genders, we see even how a person can simultaneously think that their "form" is special and unique and wonderfully made, but also it is to be redefined and resisted and even denied in total for the pursuit of worldly lies. It's downright devastating to see.
I am a person of total faith who struggles daily with pride and arrogance, which produces sins of both thought and actions in my life. If those who know Jesus struggle so much - and we all do - how could there be hope for those so far removed from a path that includes even the concept of God, let alone the truth about his good plans and purposes and intents in their lives?
Yes, I am struggling with my hope ... not my hope in Jesus, and my personal salvation, and the love of Yahweh my heavenly father ... but my hope in how society sustains and progresses in the future. In fact, my hope in this is less and less tied to a hope that our culture will return to the Lord, and more and more in the Paul's opening statement to this entire concept: Hard times will come in the last days. I am beginning to hope for the last days.
Is it wrong to implicitly give up millions - billions - of living people? I know the answer; yes, it is wrong. Perhaps we can use Paul's logic, showing that claiming a form of personal godliness must point to the power of God himself, and perhaps that awareness can begin some on a new path.
Prayer: Lord, this morning I pray for three young men I won't name here, but their names are in my mind, and you know them. They have denied your power, while claiming power over the form you provided. They have fallen for the lies of satan, and are wandering so far from you. If I could talk to them, I honestly wouldn't even have the first idea what to say. But you do. Please send people to talk to them. Please send people to talk to their parents and councilors and others who would speak into their lives. May this also be true for the tens and hundreds of millions like them in the world today, who have fallen for the same terrible lie. And may your Church find the hope we need to continue your mission on earth, until the day of your coming. Amen.
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