2 TIMOTHY 4:3-4 - TICKLED EARS OR TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

2 Timothy 4:3-4

TICKLED EARS OR

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

By Susie Hale, Precious Jewels Ministries

This post may end up being one of the least liked that I have ever written, but I hope you will stick with it until the last sentence. I believe the time Paul was writing about to Timothy is here and now. This was already true to some extent in Ephesus when Timothy pastored there. However, many of today’s churches are the epitome of these two verses. People flock to hear of God’s unconditional love but run out the door when His wrath is preached. People turn out in droves to hear that God wants them to be healthy, wealthy, and happy all the time but turn a deaf ear to the prospect of persecution for their faith. There are churches that cater to the homosexual community never lovingly showing them that God has a better plan than continuing to live in what He declared to be “an abomination” (Leviticus 20:13). Many churches turn a blind eye to the fact that members are living together without benefit of wedding vows (a.k.a. fornication, see 1 Corinthians 6:18). Lest you are feeling high and holy, take a look at seven things the Lord finds detestable (Proverbs 6:6-19). Sin is no long called “sin”. Instead we prefer the watered down “bad choices.” When we preach only the love of God and fail to teach His holiness, we neglect to point out a person’s deep need of a Savior. When we no longer teach the fact that our sinfulness separates us from a perfect Father, many see themselves as “good enough” to approach Him instead of knowing that it is only by His mercy and grace we can reach Him. I was reading ahead in my Sunday school quarterly, and was reminded of this truth when I saw, “When sin is not faced as sin, grace is not seen as amazing. A weak teaching on sin leads to cheap grace, and abandoning both is abandoning the central message of the gospel” (Matt Capps in Explore the Bible: Exodus; Leviticus, Fall 2017, Lifeway Christian Resources). Refuse to attend a church where the pastor only scratches the itching ears of those who want to say they trust Jesus while never turning from the things He abhors. A true encounter with the Holy God who created everything results in a life that is pursuing Christlikeness, a life transformed by the power of His Holy Spirit living within. That life may not experience material prosperity on this earth but will be rewarded with much more. Their spirit of fear will be replaced with a spirit of “power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Anxiety will be replaced with confidence that “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). They will know this truth: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2). Do you just want to have your ears tickled or are you ready to surrender your entire being to the most loving Master who created you and desires what is best for you, to give you a total transformation?