Form Without Power

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

- 2 Timothy 3: 1-5

Who can deny the inspiration of the Apostle Paul as he wrote these words as he was moved by the Holy Spirit so many years ago. Paul's words above are an ever increasing indictment against much of what passes for religion today. In order to assuage his conscience, Man is willing to take up all the trappings of religion especially in its display. Pageantry and aesthetics appeal to his senses and gives him much supposed assurance of his spiritual state. Oh but how much he despises the secret and hard things of Christianity.

I have seen a much greater emphasis on prayer, bible reading and daily communion with God in recent months and while it is good, I fear lest we fall into formalism and doing things "just because we have to". Every man born again of the Holy Spirit is a new creature, with a new heart of flesh that is sensitive and desirous of the things of God. One does not need to force a sheep to act like a sheep because it does so naturally. But the carnal and unsaved man does not truly desire the things from above. He may agree begrudgingly to do them, and indeed persist for a time, but he will soon find no appetite for them. For it is not in his nature to desire these things.

Oh how we need all the more urgently today to ensure those around us, who profess faith in Christ, are well and truly born again. How much more do we need to examine our own hearts to see if we are merely dabbling in the formalities of religion without knowing any of its true power to save, especially in these times of increasing religious fervour. We can try to dress up a goat as a sheep with all the duties of a Christian, but at the Judgement Seat all appearances will be removed and how great will be the anguish and regret on that Day.

Oh Lord let it not be so with me.