Turn Away!

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For 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, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
II Timothy 3:1-5

WOW!  If this doesn’t paint a picture of the United States these days!

Note verse 5 – having a form of godliness – from such RUN!!

First, form is necessary.  Just as a man’s spirit has a body, a true relationship with Jesus has form – a church with policies, times and places.  The Spirit of God indwells a body – a form.   Jesus, God Himself, took a form, a body born of Mary.

A form of godliness.  They were religious.  In Jesus’ day, people around Him were faithful Jews keeping the law, feasts, sacrifices, the Sabbath, and talking of and singing of God.  They were about a God who created all, flooded the earth, made a covenant with the family of Abraham, led them out of a long captivity, gave them Ten Commandments, the land of Israel, Jerusalem, a temple and the great king David.  BUT, most only had a form of godliness!  They had a religious form, trappings, rituals, activities and followed many pages of the Bible, but Jesus declared to their leaders:  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” Matthew 23:15.

Today, I think of Catholics as such a people – a form of godliness but denying its power.

I think of most of those in liberal Christian churches – a form of godliness but denying its power.

I think of many in Baptist, Charismatic and Evangelical churches – a form a godliness but denying…

A form of godliness – a great many in America believe there is a God who is personal, ruling, caring, and will judge all men. They believe that Jesus was born of Mary, lived a model life, died, was buried and rose to ascend to heaven and is returning.  They believe that men are sinners and need saved.  They believe in church, the importance of baptism and communion, and not living in sin. They have the form of godliness, BUT – they deny the power!

Denying the power means to not – with personal contriteness, fear, repentance and submission – plead with God for His salvation and thus be indwelt by the Holy Spirit which makes a new creation with a new heart and new direction – Change!  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, Romans 1:16.  He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you, Romans 8:11.

Those who are truly Godly have the indwelling Spirit directing them to forsake sin, giving them victory over sin, pressing them to godliness and exciting them to adoration and worship of God.  They have an inner life that spills out of their life.  They are different!  They are seen as Godly!

The admonition here is to flee from those fake and phony Christians – who deny the power!

Do not cuddle with, huddle with, hang with or follow them.

FLEE those who are NOT different per the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12-17).

II Corinthians 6:14, Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?… 17, “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord.

Don’t sit under their teachings, participate in their activities, or embrace their attitudes – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, Psalm 1:1.

I Corinthians 15:33, Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Proverbs 13:20, He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

John 7:7, The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.

Be wise and Beware – there are many who have a form of godliness but deny the power of true salvation and are not true Christians and are not to be followed or adored!  Rather – TURN AWAY!