Having a form of godliness but denying its power!
2 Tim. 3:5, "Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away." Verse 7 continues, "Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Through the years there has been a progression of growth and knowledge in the church. We have seen the huge buildings built. We have seen where the music has changed (becoming more sophisticated) and we have seen the numbers increase exponentially over the last 50 years.
The Scripture above I believe has a dual meaning. There are those within the confines of religion that are on the fringes of truth. They deny that God is able to do what His Word says, therefore, negating the possibility of seeing the signs and wonders and miracles that we are told would follow us as believers.
But I believe that V. 5 has another more profound meaning. Although we have accepted the message of the gospel, and accepted Jesus (as friend, but not as life-changer). For many, they have felt the conviction, but yet there was no real change.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if anyone will open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with Me." Jesus has knocked at the door of hearts untold millions of times, but many have denied Him access, even though they may have said a certain prayer, or gone through a certain method (and were told they were "saved").
But in this process, what 2 Tim. 3:5 is saying is that they are denying the power of Christ to come into their hearts and transform them. If we deny the power into our lives to change our lives, then how can we expect that power to flow through us to touch other lives? So many, it seems, have given the enemy access to their lives, but yet have denied the Lord full access to their hearts.
For many, they confess the Lord and believe to some extent in their minds, but their hearts are far from Him. Seeing the progression of mega churches, orchestras on the church stage, Hollywood lights, and stage performances impresses many people, but is it really accomplishing what the gospel tells us to do? Are people drawn to a "show," or are they drawn to the power of God?
Oftentimes, we see many converts, but few disciples. Jesus said, "Make disciples." A disciple is someone who follows Jesus and allows His power to change him or her, and then to flow out to others to change them.
If we have so much of the things of the world influencing us in our walk in life, then it’s obvious there is a mixture. We cannot serve two masters. It is impossible to have "the best of both worlds." This world is enmity with God. We will love the one and hate the other, and if we end up loving the world more than God, the result will be confusion, double-mindedness, and failure. This state of being produces no fruit for the kingdom, because God does not honor doublemindedness, and confusion is not of Him.
Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle at a time that we least expect. When our time is up here on earth and we are called into eternity (whether that be in death, or in the catching up with Jesus in the air) we must be ready. If Jesus were to ask you today, "Are you ready?" what would you tell Him?
By Vito Rallo Author of Shocking Secrets Behind Martial Arts & Yoga – Now being released through Sovereign World Ltd (UK) under a new cover & title, Exposing the Dangers Behind Martial Arts & Yoga: A Christian’s Guide to the harmful effects of these spiritually rooted practices. ISBN # 978-1-85240-581-6 ($15.99)
(Available now on Amazon Kindle and iTunes (Apple iBook store.)Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.marriagewhatsthepoint.com
reflectministry@yahoo.com
813-405-7952 "God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."
2 Tim. 3:5, "Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away." Verse 7 continues, "Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Through the years there has been a progression of growth and knowledge in the church. We have seen the huge buildings built. We have seen where the music has changed (becoming more sophisticated) and we have seen the numbers increase exponentially over the last 50 years.
The Scripture above I believe has a dual meaning. There are those within the confines of religion that are on the fringes of truth. They deny that God is able to do what His Word says, therefore, negating the possibility of seeing the signs and wonders and miracles that we are told would follow us as believers.
But I believe that V. 5 has another more profound meaning. Although we have accepted the message of the gospel, and accepted Jesus (as friend, but not as life-changer). For many, they have felt the conviction, but yet there was no real change.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if anyone will open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with Me." Jesus has knocked at the door of hearts untold millions of times, but many have denied Him access, even though they may have said a certain prayer, or gone through a certain method (and were told they were "saved").
But in this process, what 2 Tim. 3:5 is saying is that they are denying the power of Christ to come into their hearts and transform them. If we deny the power into our lives to change our lives, then how can we expect that power to flow through us to touch other lives? So many, it seems, have given the enemy access to their lives, but yet have denied the Lord full access to their hearts.
For many, they confess the Lord and believe to some extent in their minds, but their hearts are far from Him. Seeing the progression of mega churches, orchestras on the church stage, Hollywood lights, and stage performances impresses many people, but is it really accomplishing what the gospel tells us to do? Are people drawn to a "show," or are they drawn to the power of God?
Oftentimes, we see many converts, but few disciples. Jesus said, "Make disciples." A disciple is someone who follows Jesus and allows His power to change him or her, and then to flow out to others to change them.
If we have so much of the things of the world influencing us in our walk in life, then it’s obvious there is a mixture. We cannot serve two masters. It is impossible to have "the best of both worlds." This world is enmity with God. We will love the one and hate the other, and if we end up loving the world more than God, the result will be confusion, double-mindedness, and failure. This state of being produces no fruit for the kingdom, because God does not honor doublemindedness, and confusion is not of Him.
Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle at a time that we least expect. When our time is up here on earth and we are called into eternity (whether that be in death, or in the catching up with Jesus in the air) we must be ready. If Jesus were to ask you today, "Are you ready?" what would you tell Him?
By Vito Rallo Author of Shocking Secrets Behind Martial Arts & Yoga – Now being released through Sovereign World Ltd (UK) under a new cover & title, Exposing the Dangers Behind Martial Arts & Yoga: A Christian’s Guide to the harmful effects of these spiritually rooted practices. ISBN # 978-1-85240-581-6 ($15.99)
(Available now on Amazon Kindle and iTunes (Apple iBook store.)Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.marriagewhatsthepoint.com
reflectministry@yahoo.com
813-405-7952 "God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."
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