How not to be

2 Timothy 3:1-7

This is a passage from the New Testament which was one of the influential ones in my returning to Christianity recently. Occasionally when I read the Bible I come across a verse or two which feel as though they were written for me. Now I know there are some who will say this is the skill of the writer (after all, all 12 horoscopes in the newspaper every day could be specifically about me) and that may be true. But the difference between horoscopes and the Bible when it happens is the wisdom which seems to be behind it. Look at this quotation again. "Having the appearence indeed of Godliness, but denying the power thereof". This is me. I was a regular Church attender, and would have said I had strong faith, but my actions did not bear that out. I was practising my faith because it made me feel good, not because it made me feel God.

Look again at the description of men who will be around at the end times - that is how I see society today and I take my place in it. Now, again, I know that there are passages of Socrates proclaiming the awfulness of youth, so I can't lay this passage as proof of the Christian faith - I know the faith cannot be proven in human terms. But the description is one so unpleasant, so repugnant and yet so familiar that it has driven me to realise that I need to seek a deeper humility. In everything. Interaction with patients, relatives, friends, people in the street who need help, shopkeepers, telesales people, journalists, lawyers - everyone. We are all part of the same proud culture, but the pride is eating at us, separating us, pushing us into our own little caves, reducing our interaction with each other and increasing our isolation, suspicion and fear.

So don't be like those people St Paul warns Timothy about. Be like St Paul - in prison for his beliefs, yet still professing them, still supporting others and getting his reward from that.