“…know this, that in the last days perilous (chalepos: troublesome, dangerous) times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD, having a form of godliness but DENYING ITS POWER. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim. 3:1-5) Are we living in those perilous times?
- According to the Public Religion Research Institute, Georgetown University. More than half of all young people (ages 18-24) DON’T BELIEVE the Bible is GOD’S INSPIRED WORD.
- According to State of American Theology Study, Lifeway Research, 56% of all Americans believe the Holy Spirit is a force but NOT A PERSON.
- While 1 in 4 Americans are done with church, half of all Americans (48%) are DONE WITH GOD. Known as post-Christian, they say that God plays NO ROLE whatsoever in their life. The Barna Group
- According to American Bible Society and Barna Group, Half of all Americans have NEVER READ the Bible.
Let me just say this, in the second verse of the Bible it says “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the SPIRIT OF GOD (The Holy Spirit) was hovering over the surface of the waters.” (Gen. 1:2) Jesus taught us that, “…the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will TEACH YOU all things, and BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26) About the Word of God, who is a person, not just words on the page, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the WORD WAS GOD.” (John 1:1)
More about the Word of God, “…the word of God is LIVING and POWERFUL, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) Most importantly about the Word, “All Scripture is GOD–BREATHED and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Most translations say “given by inspiration of God” the Greek word is theopneustos: two words, theos: God. pneustos: to breathe. thus, literally God-breathed. As God breathed life into Adam’s newly created body, (Gen 2:7) When we open the Bible, God breathes His Word into us!!!
-Bill Stockham