Form or Substance?

The apostle Paul wrote to the young preacher Timothy: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without selfcontrol, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NASB).

What I find so disturbing about that warning is the fact that Paul was writing about religious people, men who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. That simply means they wouldn’t let their religion interfere with their lives and be a driving force in their lives.

Paul could not have described more vividly current conditions in the religious world if he had written those lines yesterday. Folks want Christianity without inconvenience or interference. In most churches today Sunday night and Wednesday evening services are a thing of the past. People have become too busy to attend, so the services have been eliminated. Instead, Saturday night and early Sunday morning services are now in vogue so that folks can free up the Lord’s Day for golf, fishing, boating, and family outings. It would appear that religion is fine as long as it doesn’t interfere with our lives.

The same seems to be true in regard to morality. Christianity no longer demands upright living. Right and wrong are relative issues. What may be wrong for me may be right for you. Live your own life, do your own thing. Folks, that simply is not true! Christianity and morality are inseparable (Titus 2:12).

Do you have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof?

Is your religion one of convenience or conviction?

Do you have the substance of Christianity, or just an empty shell?

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully