2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.
For the past few days I have been reflecting on this verse from 2 Timothy. Paul warns Timothy that people will turn from every form of righteousness. He even goes as far as enumerating specific ways in which they estrange from God. As I was reading through the list I found myself thinking about encounters that highlighted each of these traits. It’s easy for me to agree that pride, abusiveness, rashness, lack of self control, etc. contribute to unrighteousness. However, the very last trait was the one that caused me to pause for a moment…
What does is look like to “have a form of godliness” but then deny its power? Even scarier, how is it that having a form godliness, a form righteousness, the very thing Paul says people will lack, how is it that God sees that form of godliness and still considers it as evil as being unforgiving or slanderous. You can be grateful, holy, loving, forgiving, kind, and humble (have a form of godliness) and still greatly offend God. Why? because you deny His power.
I think one of the easiest ways for me to do this is through prayer. When God doesn’t answer my prayers, it’s easy for me to slip into a routine of praying for something, but then not expecting God to move. It’s like I pray out of obedience because He ask us to (having a form of godliness), but then I treat Him like a fickle friend who only listens when its convenient for him. Or, I pray, but on the inside I fear I’m being too demanding, as if my requests would be too much to ask from the creator of this universe. I fulfill my end of the contract without hope of Him working on His end.
It’s humbling to know that even when we’re at our best, when we treat God with irreverence we sin. However, I think the most wonderful thing I’ve taken away from this passage is the simple message that we DO serve a God of power. God is waiting for us to lean on His strength. It is beyond our understanding and beyond our wildest imagination. We honor Him when we entreat his power to do what we’re powerless to accomplish, that it might bring Him more glory.
As an exercise, consider taking each of Paul’s enumerated traits and ask yourself honestly “Do I deny God’s power here?”
Do I Brad, allow God’s power to transform me from a lover of myself? Or do I try to do it on my own?
Do I _____, allow God’s power to transform me from a lover of money? Or do I try to do it on my own?
Do I _____, allow God’s power to help me avoid boasting? Or do I try to do it on my own?
Do I _____, allow God’s power to rid me of my pride? Or do I try to do it on my own?
…..
Who’s strength are you leaning on today?
