JANUARY 30, 2024
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (II Timothy 3:5)
Paul, in writing to his beloved son, Timothy, tells him that “in the last days perilous times shall come.” But why should the last days be so particularly perilous? He says, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”and so on. But were men not always, in every generation, such as here described? Was there ever a time when men were not lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers?” The root of these evils is deeply seated in fallen man, and these fruits must and do continually appear.
Why, then, should their appearance in the last days, make those days more “perilous” than other days? It seems to me that the reason is revealed in the phrase, “Having a form of godliness.” That which makes the last days perilous is that the open profaneness described is covered over by a mask of profession. It is this that makes the times more perilous, for the Church.
“Having a form of godliness” is how the Apostle describes many who engage in the evils here listed. What is “godliness”? This is a question that needs answering because godliness in the Scriptures has two distinct meanings. Sometimes it means the whole work of grace upon the heart; all that makes and identifies a person to be a child of God. This is, in a word, practical godliness, with all the fruits of true religion accompanying. For example, “…exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (I Tim. 4:7)“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness...” (II Pet. 1:3)
But there are other passages in which the word godliness seems to have a more limited meaning. For instance, Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience meekness.” (I Tim. 6:11) There, godliness is not seen as the whole of true religion but a particular branch of it, namely, devotedness of heart to the Lord. So also in II Peter 1:5-7, we find that godliness is a particular fruit of the Spirit.
So, in what sense are we to understand the term godliness in the text? It should be obvious that it is the whole of the Spirit’s work upon the soul. It includes repentance, faith in Christ, love of the brethren, the spirit of prayer, the fear of the Lord, and all that springs out of the Spirit’s work upon the soul.
There is such a thing as a form of godliness, which is only a form; it knows nothing of the power of the Spirit. Here, we come to the distinction between the people of God and those who are mere empty professors, who have nothing of the life of God in their souls. God’s true people may often feel a lack of the power of godliness, but that does not mean they are without godly character. But then, there are those who have neither “godliness” nor the “power” of it. They have but the form. What is a form but an outside appearance of the thing without the reality?
It is very possible to have a form of repentance while the heart is not turned from sin. Many have a form of faith, but no vital union with Christ. We see all about us forms and symbols of love and devotion to Christ while the hearts are far from Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
Why, in these perilous times, are there so many professed Christians who have only a form of godliness without the power of it? No doubt in a great many cases it is because they’ve been led to believe that nothing more than a form is needed. Modern-day Evangelicals have broadly adopted a method of evangelism known as “Easy Believism.” Perhaps “Empty Believism” better describes it. These have replaced the necessity of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” with instructions to tell God you are sorry, repeat a prayer, and accept Jesus into your heart. Thus, there results an empty form without the regenerating and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.
Let none be content with a form of godliness, in which there is no evidence of Divine Power.
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