the last days

Whenever I know that something is the 'last' it creates a sense of urgency in me. When I knew it was the fourth quarter of a basketball, it created a sense of urgency that it was time to win. I remember really getting into the show Friends right before they took it off of Netflix. I remember watching it the moment they took it off Netflix. I hadn't really watched much of Friends up until I knew they were going to take it off, so I was happy that I created a sense of urgency to watch as much as I could.

In 2 Timothy, when Paul references the "last days" he is revealing his sense of urgency. The "last days" began after Jesus' resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. The "last days" will continue until Christ's second coming. This meaning that we are living in the last days. Knowing that, we should make the most of the time that God has given us.

There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Yikes. There are a lot of things in the list, and maybe some of those things describe yourself right now. Maybe, they describe some of the people that you spend your time around. If there is any part of you that is tied to anything in those verses, rid yourself. Pray that your heart begins to change. It's hard, there are a lot of things on that list and we are all sinners. Recognition is the first key ingredient to change.

If you find yourself surrounded by people who fit those descriptions, have nothing to do with them. Pray for them, but having nothing to do with them. Because most of the time, we become who we spend our time with. Whether we say that we are self-controlled and disciplined or not. If you keep spending time around people who are living in the way, you will become that.

Some might say...love everyone...love everyone...still love them. Don't not love them for some reason. Just having nothing to do with them. Don't get caught up in what they do or what they try to make you do. It hurts to say, but honestly sometimes, no matter how hard you try, some people are not going to change.

Pau's descriptive list of behavior in the last days describes our society-even, unfortunately, the behavior of many Christians. Check your life against Paul's list. Don't give into security's pressures. Don't settle for comfort without commitment. Stand up against evil by living as God would have his people live.

You might be a little upset about this post, thinking that I am telling you all to not be friends with some of your friends. But if you really strive to have an amazing relationship with Christ and feel like you want to honor him all in that you say and do, you might have to put your foot in the ground and commit to spending time with people who are always going to be uplifting, encouraging, and helping you in your pursuit of Christ.

We have the awesome ability of choice. It's up to us. We can choose who we are going to spend our time with. Are you more focused on what will last forever, or the days that keep you from reaching your full potential? It's really up to you.

I am here for what lasts forever. Who is with me?

My prayer is for everyone. We all want what will last forever. Eternity is written on our hearts, we just have to cut off what is holding us back and go for it.