We have to work at making a change

Faith Filled Thoughts
October 16th, 2008
By Connie Ciccone
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We have to work at making a change.


II Timothy 3:7 "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith, and cautions him about the world around him. In the previous six verses, Paul tells him that perilous times would come and he then gave Timothy a list of things that would be happening in the last days. Paul said that men would be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affections, trucebreakers, false accusers, uncontrolled, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, and that there would be silly women laden with sins seeking to lead them astray. He also said that a form of godliness would abound, but that the power of God would be denied.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words in 63 AD, which was about 30 years after Christ was crucified. But you would think that he was describing our problem society today, for we witness these characteristics every day as we watch the television, hear the news, or observe public behavior. It is very evident that there are many who are truly "ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth." There has never been a time when the gospel was more accessible or proclaimed through so many mediums, but many who hear the word never change their lives. Satan deceives them from knowing their true needs and their self-satisfying lust blind them from being able to understand the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, Himself, used graphic illustrations in His teachings and made everything He taught come alive, but even in His day, many could not understand His simple teachings because their minds were closed to receive the truth.

The scriptures are given by inspiration of God and they are designed to teach us good doctrine and instruct us in the ways of righteousness. They are also there to reprove and correct us (II Timothy 3:16). Our shortcomings may not be in the list that Paul gave to Timothy, but we must acknowledge that we all have areas in our lives where God is dealing with us to come into the knowledge of the truth. We hear a word that pricks our heart, but we tend to push it away because we don't want to be accountable to its truth. Like Paul's statement, we learn about the truth but we never come to know the truth because we do not allow ourselves to experience it.

It is one thing to learn that we are to live a holy life but it is quite another to understand that truth by submitting our entire being to God and actually living a holy life before Him. There is a difference in learning about thankfulness and being truly thankful. We can learn about the spirit of arrogance but that does not impart a spirit of humility in our lives. We have to work at making a change. The Holy Spirit will teach us daily and guide us into the truth, but we must give heed to His leading. If we want to change we must make a determination that as we hear the truth, we will discipline ourselves to obey God's words of wisdom. If we do not obey them, we will find ourselves fulfilling the words of Paul, "ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth."

God is dealing with us to come into the knowledge of the truth



May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie