“You should 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 hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy:3-1-5 NLT)
Let me be clear. In this passage Paul is describing people who align themselves with godly people. They knowingly and willingly seek to counterfeit a life they have no intention of really living but want others to see them as something they’re clearly not, at least in God’s eyes. They put on their “holy face” at church, but at other times live like the devil. That’s why Paul says to stay away from them. Don’t encourage an imitation, a fraud, a phony.
Please don’t be confused. Obviously, many unsaved people live a similar lifestyle and carry similar beliefs, but they’re not masquerading, pretending to be anything but what they are. Embrace those who are far from God and know it, don’t run from them or shun them. Help them see the truth through your loving kindness and willingness to allow them into your life.
By all means, don’t seek to imitate their lifestyle or behavior, or even of one who knows and loves the Lord. Brian Houston helps us see this when he writes: “God has not called you to be anyone else’s imitation.” Hopefully, the obvious implication is: EXCEPT JESUS! John confirms this when he writes in 1 John 3:2-3: “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as He is pure.”
If we desire it and open our heart to it, the Spirit will show us glimpses of the Risen Christ. We “see” Him with our eye of faith, in His purity, kindness, holiness, and power when we want nothing but Him. We “see” Him in the faith of a saint of God who just lost a loved one but perseveres without blaming God or accusing Him of wrongdoing.
We see it in the eyes of one rising from the waters of baptism, alive with hope and confidence that Jesus is really who He claimed to be! Loving! Forgiving! Powerful! Or in the stride of the elderly one who with pain and much effort, finds their way to the house of God, knowing there will be a Savior who will meet them there with a warm embrace.
Imitations are empty, lifeless, valueless, and void of meaning and hope; but the Original, the Christ of the Bible, is authentic, full of life, love, power, authority, wisdom, kindness, patience, healing, and virtue we must pursue and seek to emulate in our own lives as His followers. Yes, of course, we fail, we fall short of His excellence and beauty but let our mind long for His likeness; let our heart rejoice in His loving presence that never leaves or forsakes us.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 