Today’s Thoughts – 26 January 2021

In our last post, we discussed 2 Timothy 3:4 and the characteristics that were held within that verse. As we conclude looking at this passage, we will look at 2 Timothy 3:5 today. Remember that we are looking at these characteristics in terms of how they affect our families, churches, and society.

If you would like to read the previous post, you can by clicking here. You can also read the post on 2 Timothy 3:2 by clicking here and the post on 2 Timothy 3:3 by clicking here.

Having a form of godliness, denying the power thereof: There are so many people today that on Sunday mornings they dress up to the nines, put a smile on, and come to the Sunday morning service. The rest of the week they live like the world, they aren’t in the Word, and they don’t come to the other services or activities the church holds. They have a form of godliness – an outward form, not an inward form.

These people may or may not be saved – it is not for us to judge. What we do know is that because they simply show an outward form of godliness, they have not fully experienced the power of God in their lives. We are called to live victorious Christian lives in the power of God, not worldly lives in the power of the flesh.

Don’t deny the power of God in your life. Don’t have just an outward form of godliness. Instead, let the power of God through the Word of God transform your life from the inside so that you will have an outward transformation as well.

From such turn away: Based on all we have studied over the last few posts in regard to these characteristics that plague our families, churches, and societies, Paul tells us to turn away from them. Don’t let these traits become part of our attitudes or mannerisms in life. They will only tear you down and tear down the relationships we have with others.

If we are in the Word of God (privately, personally with family, and corporately with our local church) we allow it to take root in our hearts and transform us from the inside-out. Then we will turn away from these terrible characteristics and live our lives conformed to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

In our next post, we will continue our study through the book of 2 Timothy.