October 17, 2023

II Timothy 3: 5 . . . having a form of godliness but denying its power. (NIV)

Mindless Christianity isn’t biblical Christianity.*

The third chapter of Second Timothy begins with these ominous words from Paul: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” He goes on to list some of the predicted qualities (or should we call them “unqualities”?) that people will possess in the future. He ends with what seems to be a summary of them all: “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” And, he says, have nothing to do with them.

After reading Paul’s catalog of unseemly behavior, it’s hard to believe that these people could display any form of godliness – and yet they are among us. In our churches. Going through the motions of religion; attending worship services; saying the right things; involving themselves in the work of the church.

So how are we to have nothing to do with these offenders if they look like us? Maybe the question we should ask ourselves is: How do we know they aren’t us? Read verses two through four. Do you see yourself in any one (or more) of the characteristics listed? Maybe it doesn’t describe you all of the time, or at the current time, but you are not without guilt. So maybe instead of trying to sniff out the people we need to avoid, we should first do some self-examination.

Are you just going through the motions of being a Christian? You can deny the power of the Spirit without actually saying it out loud. While you are busy being religious for whatever reasons motivate you, do you have a relationship with God? Is Jesus your Lord as well as your Savior? Are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in your life? Asking yourself these questions (and more) could help prevent you from being one of those people that Paul warned Timothy about. As he said, they won’t get very far because in the end their folly will be clear to everyone (verse 9).

Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst.*