jump to navigation

In the Last Days Difficult Times Will Come—Ungrateful, Unholy, Unloving

February 27, 2006

Write your comment | Print This Post

Dear Friends

Once again this week, we examine the first few verses of 2 Timothy 3.

The next trait is that of being “ungrateful” (Gr. acharistos). These people are not only ungrateful for what other people do for them, but what God and Christ have done for them. Surely there is no greater insult to the God of Heaven than to be ungrateful that He gave His son for us. Speaking of such ungratefulness and again speaking of brethren, we are told

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb. 10:29)

We are acharistos when we complain about the food for which we have just given thanks. We are acharistos when we fail to appreciate all God has given us and instead crave more and more and more. We are acharistos when we doubt the sufficiency of Christ and instead crave “leeks and onions” of our previous sinful life.

The next trait is that of being “unholy” (Gr. anosios). A major defining attribute of a believer is holiness. God said “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) To be holy means “to be set apart.” This is not an artificial separation. It is a fundamental and vital part of discipleship such that one cannot truly be a disciple of Christ without it. God said “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2Co 6:17) Holiness is being separated by God from the world so that you are no longer a part of this system of things. Equally important, it means no longer operating according to the flesh or the principles of this world. To be anosios is to deny the very essence of discipleship in our walk and in our doctrine.

The next attribute is being “unloving” (Gr. astorgos). The King James translates as “without natural affection.” The word storge in the Greek means “family love.” This person is void of that love for his brothers and sisters in Christ—his new family. One of the litmus tests in Scripture for being a disciple is love of the brethren. Jesus said “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (Joh 13:35)

It is very natural to love your family. We are shocked beyond measure when families kill or harm one another. Who can forget the story of Susan Smith in South Carolina who killed her two sons or of Scott Peterson who killed his own wife and unborn child? Yet, in the Last Days, there will be those who do not possess this love of the ecclesial family. They will not love their brethren for whom Christ died. It is shocking. John tells us

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 Joh 4:20)

Lord willing, we will pick up here next week.

Have a great week!