Control-Z

I was reading the Word this morning and read this:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.

I had this thought... When Jesus came to teach people how to live for God, he basically did 2 things... 1st he would teach them, 2nd they would then pass it on... by the way they lived. That is putting it simply. But that is what we should do. So I thought about the church today, specifically about people's view about the church... which generally isn't good. In my opinion, the original intent of learning to Live for God, then passing it on has become complicated. I would imagine that for years after Jesus dies & rose again, this worked well. The Apostles literally spent their life passing on the Truth of God as revealed by Jesus Christ, and Scripture. The church grew, people got saved and there was a reproduction of Christ followers. Maybe with this growth came more false teachers, but there also came many opinions of the New Testament teachings, many of the "leaders" had greedy motives. There were disagreements which lead to divisions of the church (which the New Testament clearly warned us to avoid!). Politics and Bureaucracy infiltrated the church culture. And it seems to be like yeast in bread... it can't be removed! The it seems the view of the "church" today has been scarred badly, and I believe that my church (The Rock), and many other New Testament Christ-Following churches like it, have an interesting mission on their hands... to teach as Jesus taught, and the early apostles taught, and pass it on to others. And try to UNDO (Control-Z) what has been done by so many who have claimed to be Christians.

I also read this verse, which is so right on regarding the world we live in today:

1 Timothy 4:3-5 - For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you.

Hmmm... we have some work to do!
Stay True...