Peril
II Timothy 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
This could be a headline or description of an ominous production depicting end time events- maybe something similar to Orson Well’s dramatic radio broadcast that created such a stir in 1938. The vision inspired by the use of the word “perilous” might include all kinds of devastation and destruction of life, as attacks are made from an evil and ill intentioned enemy. The terror events of 9/11 would rightly fit into the frame of its illustration. Surely the “peril” would be an extreme assault on the stability of society, totally disrupting any sense of security or safety.
Verse 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
In light of what the initial phrase conjured up for me, it seems interesting how the description of the perilous times in this passage proceeds. The real “peril”, it would seem, has much more to do with the actions, attitudes, and passion of men’s hearts- an attack from within rather than from the outside. The great danger is made precipitous because of the inability of men to perceive where the real source of satisfaction and fulfillment comes from. It is their persistent following after their own vein and self seeking desires that propels them down the path towards ultimate destruction. Though in their own view things are going quite well, as their flesh is being fed whatever it cries out for, a storm is brewing that will completely overwhelm any gratification they thought they were gaining with a flood of torrential disappointment, despair, and destruction.
There is danger lurking out there. To go out into the world is to become vulnerable to so many legitimate threats. This is the concern of any loving parent. This is the worry that deprives them of sleep and drives them to their knees in prayer. When the door doesn’t open at the agreed upon time, when the phone call isn’t answered, or when a dangerous person is reported to be in the area, there is fodder supplied for the fire of worry that would consume their heart. Of the danger awaiting the child’s venture into the world, though, there is a great difference between those things that would form a physical threat and those things that would impact the passions of their heart. While there is certainly peril awaiting them that could bring physical harm even unto death, there is a much more perilous threat against their eternal soul in the attitudes and behaviors that reflect a passion for any other than God. The choices of friends, television shows, video games and ‘American idols’ that are made within the walls of the home can form a much greater threat. Where the heart is captured in passion the path is followed to either death or righteousness, and this can take place right beneath the ‘watchful’ nose.
There is a responsibility to protect and provide safety for those we love. They certainly need a roof over their head and law enforcement in the streets. But, the greatest impediment to potential ultimate peril will be the provision of passion for the One that will most effectively keep their hearts, minds, and bodies in His eternal care. Knowing Him and the truth He has proclaimed in His word will do much more to establish them in security than any barrier of material construction. One moment of passionate desire for God and His ways will bring much greater eternal results than anything else that might be provided.
Perilous times are here. Life will certainly bring its fill of threats today. There is a worry-free way for those who’ve escaped the ‘peril of passions’, though, through a diligent pursuit of the passion that protects. In the love of God there may be the same attacks against well-being, but nothing can upend the stand that His love ensures. In Him there is a refuge from all that might seem perilous from any perspective, and there is assurance of eternal gratification and life in the knowledge of the One who has captured our passion.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
