All Publications by Little Lamb

Paul reminds Timothy of the behavior of those who do not fear God in the last days (3:1–9). They love pleasure rather than God, are self-centered, and oppose the truth. Ironically, they are always learning yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Their pride prevents them from learning, understanding, or carrying out God’s will. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).  Today, these words are also spoken to us who believe in Jesus. We must stay alert and not imitate them, for such behaviors oppose and contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ. These serve as warnings and guidance for us, because we may unknowingly fall into these errors in our daily lives as well. When life becomes comfortable, we may love entertainment but dislike attending church services. When brothers and sisters in church face difficulties, we may stand by and care only for ourselves. We may become lovers of money, striving tirelessly for work and forgetting the work God has entrusted to us.  The Bible tells us that a person cannot serve two masters. They will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24). The greatest commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).  In verse 10, Paul teaches us the attitude a God-fearing person should have: to follow sound teaching, have good conduct, steadfastness, faith, patience, love, endurance, and the ability to endure persecution. Verses 12–13 remind us: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”, because evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse. Blessed are those who rely on God to overcome persecution and endure trials, for through testing they will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).  In the final verses (15–17), Paul mentions something crucial: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Therefore, we must search the Scriptures, for in them we find eternal life (John 5:39). The words of the true God are full of grace, and His promises will all be fulfilled. Let us hide God’s word in our hearts so that we may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:9–11).  We pray that brothers and sisters will continually rely on the Holy Spirit to open our hearts, so that we may know the Lord more deeply, hold firmly to the truth we should follow, and remember that the way to the kingdom of heaven is narrow, not wide. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13–14).