Epistles – 2 Timothy 3-4

“How confident are we before the Lord when He comes again?”

Have we asked ourselves this question? Some of the junior youths were asked this question during their bible seminar last year. It did not really surprise me when (if I remember correctly) none of the students could raise their hand with confidence. Perhaps we will say that it is understandable; after all they are still teenagers.

In any case, the answer was not the point of the question, but rather, it was a call for these younger ones (and all of us here) to consider. Jesus is coming really soon. How confident are we on that day? Do we desire His appearing? Do we yearn so much that in our prayers we cry, “Lord Jesus, please come quickly!”

Let’s read 2 Timothy 3-4.

Bible Passage:  2 Timothy 3-4

There are at least two warning points for me in today’s bible passage. Not sure if you would pick up the same ones.

The first one,

“having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:5)

What does it mean to have “a form of godliness but denying its power”? Sounds like a wolf in sheep’s clothing! And the Bible says savage wolves would creep into the midst of the sheep (Acts 20:29).

Paul listed down the various types of people that will appear in the last days (2 Timothy 3:2-5). How many of these are applicable to ourselves? While all these traits are terrible, the last one is probably the most frightening of all.

Why?

Because it comes in the form of deceit. While the others can more or less be evidently seen and pointed out, “having a form of godliness but denying its power” tells us that this person is under the guise of godliness when in fact, the things he/she does speak otherwise. Yet, people might still look up to them, praising them for their godliness. They might even praise themselves! Does the Pharisee in Luke 18 come to mind?

Being the shepherds of the sheep in God’s fold, it is important for leaders to constantly remind themselves of this. Is godliness only simply a blazer that we wear on the outside so that we look good? What about our conduct and speech? Are they in line with our godly appearance? Do they also shout “Godly!”?

Remember that whatever we do will be made manifest eventually. There is really nothing that will be left hidden in the dark. When God comes, every dark corners will be lit. The folly of the wolf in sheep’s clothing will be manifest to all (2 Timothy 3:9). And the bible says that these people will progress no further!

What if we have been the Pharisee all along, but we didn’t know? Is that possible?

Which leads me to the second warning point,

“always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)

The Pharisees and the scribes were people well-versed in the Scriptures. They study the Scriptures; they even teach people from the Scriptures. But it seems like they were “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”. They rejected Jesus as Christ and crucified Him on the cross. What was the problem here? Didn’t they study the Scriptures like we do today?

When I came upon this verse, it really strikes me. This is because “learning” has become my tagline recently. I told my interviewers that I am ready to learn. I tell people who asked me about my job that everyday is a learning process, that I am still learning how best to do certain things. It appears that “learning” is a very useful word to show people that I am teachable and malleable. It might also give people the impression that I am humble.

So when I read this verse, it really stood out.

Learning does not entail that you will get it at the end.

What do I mean?

Remember what they call “study smart“? It all depends on how you are learning. It also depends on your heart. Therefore we must also “study right“.

So while I keep harping on the fact that I am learning and learning, it does not mean that I am heading right. The Pharisees and scribes study the Scriptures, but because their hearts were not right, and were hardened towards Jesus, they never got the true knowledge.

Learning the Word of God but not putting them into action makes them becomes mere knowledge. The Word of God thus have no effect in our lives and we can never comprehend and appreciate the essence of His Truth, which is to give us life.

Today, we also do have people who come to seek the truth for mere knowledge, not ready for a Saviour or a king in their life. These are perhaps the people mentioned here who are always learning but never perceiving the knowledge of the truth.

Knowledge will pass away (1 Corinthians 13:8), but the truth contained in this knowledge is what sets us free.

Note also the interesting use of the conjunction “and” instead of “but”. It seems to emphasize the fact that the learning was wrong in the first place. Let us therefore take heed what manner of learning we have!

Now read the verse (2 Timothy 3:7) again!

Can you see how pitiable these people actually are? It’s the same as saying these people are “always drinking and never able to quench one’s thirst” or “always eating and never able to satisfy one’s hunger”! What a terrible feeling! 🙁

In conclusion…

Don’t these two verses freak you out? They do, to me, because I really wonder if I am guilty of them. And like I asked earlier on, how do we know if we have been the Pharisee all along? You thought that you are godly; you thought that you are humble in learning, but it turns out at the end that you are actually very wrong.

Which is why the Bible always encourage us to examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

We must be confident!

I always admire how Paul can be so confident at the end of his life (2 Timothy 4:7-8). If we can constantly examine ourselves in our faith, correct whatever wrongs we have, remain humble in the Lord, I am sure that we can also attain such confidence.

This confidence is not a haughty one; on the contrary, it is a humble submission to God, knowing that at the end of the day, it is all by the mercy of God that we can be saved (2 Timothy 1:16-18). And that He will deliver us from every evil, right till the end (2 Timothy 4:18).

Praise Him!