The Form Without the Power

2 Timothy 3:5, "having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"

Paul tells Timothy that perilous times will come. "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." Then he says, "having a form of godliness..." What?

I must say that the last words surprise me. How can we possibly have a form of godliness with all that other junk going on? Here's what I believe: It's all about the form. You can work up a form of godliness by living by the rules. You can establish a form by appearing to obey the "letter of the law". In our flesh (our ability) we can create a form of godliness. However, anytime we do this, we deny the power of God in our lives.

The grace (ability) of God in our lives disregards the form and goes straight to the source. True and genuine godliness is received from God rather than created by us. You can have a form of godliness while living an ungodly life. The emphasis that Paul is driving home is the denial of God's power in the lives of these individuals. They have denied the ability of a risen Savior, an indwelling Holy Spirit, and the ability of grace. They may look and act the part but they are not plugged into the power source.

Take a closer look at this list. If we are plugged into the source of power (the Spirit of God) and being equipped by the grace of God then we will not be unloving. To be unloving would result in us denying the grace of God in our lives. If God is truly at work in us we will not be unforgiving. To be unforgiving would mean that we are actually denying the forgiveness that has been offered to us through Christ. People that are walking in the power and ability of God are not slanderers, they are not haughty, and they actually live in direct contradiction to the list that Paul made concerning those who have a form of godliness.

Paul says "turn away"!

You should turn away from those who deny the grace (ability) of God. You should turn away from those who deny the power (Spirit) of God. You should have nothing to do with a form of godliness that denies the source of godliness. Instead, you should fellowship with those who have found their ability in grace, their power in the Spirit of God, and their praise in the One who redeemed them. Surround yourself with the people of grace and turn away from those who operate in the flesh.

I believe there is a coming revival for those who learn to operate in the grace of God. I think that God is teaching us what faith righteousness is all about. With that being said, the ones who will fight this move of God are those who seek to establish their own righteousness. In their form of godliness we will see the pride, arrogance, and lack of ability. Paul said their folly will be manifest to all. They will always be learning but never coming to the knowledge of truth. Why? Because in their form they are always resisting the truth of God.

The great need of the church in these times is learning how to rest in the grace of God. This happens when we learn to fully receive His grace.