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Pastor Jay's Blog

The Power That Creates Godliness

 

There is a sober warning that comes in Paul’s last letter. In 2 Timothy, Paul warns that difficult days will come and they will be difficult because they will be filled with godless, evil men manifesting every form of corruption. He says in 3:5 that one of their defining features is they will be “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power….” This is shocking. These evil men are not rank unbelievers lurking in the smoke-filled break rooms of secular institutions. These are religious men. These are men found in pulpits and at church potlucks. Run-of-the-mill unbelievers in the world don’t hold “to a form of godliness.” This is church talk. The only reason this form is held is because it is in their job descriptions and in the cultural expectations of the people around them.

What I want to focus on is the following comment that Paul makes about these people. There is a reason it is only a “form” and not actual godliness. That reason is these men have “denied its power.” This makes me stop and ponder. There is a “power” that actuates and energizes and creates real and true godliness. That is important. We need to make sure we are very clear about what this power is because without it you are just another faker who has form with no substance.

What is the power that creates godliness? In a word, grace. In a sentence, it is the gracious working of God who gives us everything, that we might be conformed to the image of His Son.

Let me show you this in a few verses. First, in the very same book we see two references. In 2:1 we read, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Next in 1:9 “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity….” So Paul wants Timothy to be strengthened for the godly walk by grace, and his holy calling is one which is according to grace. Grace is the key.

There are other verses that you are familiar with as well.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB95) — 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Ephesians 3:16 (NASB95) — 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

Titus 2:11–12 (NASB95) — 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

Romans 1:16 (NASB95) — 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Each of these verses show us that grace is the key component. The gospel is the gospel of grace. It is the good news that God will work for us and in us and through us. He will change us and powerfully conform us to the image of his holy Son.

But when people reject Christ, and inwardly thumb their nose at the Lordship of Christ, they have denied the source of grace that gives power for godliness. They want a form of godliness for their own agendas and their own advancement. They don’t want God and they don’t want to lose their independence. Therefore, their godliness is always a sham. It is a cover for evil that is just under the surface. There is no power because they are willful slaves of sin.

Your hope for godliness and my hope for godliness emerges from the power that is ours when God gives himself. See the word “gives?” That is grace. He (graciously) draws us to himself and opens our eyes to see more of the beauty of His holiness. He (graciously) creates a longing in us for Himself and this is the power to say no to ungodliness.

Are you tempted today? Is there sin in your life? Humbly throw yourself upon Him today. He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Draw near to God and, even though you won’t deserve it, God will draw near to you. When He does, you will see sin for what it is and you will see Christ for who He is. Then you will act accordingly and godliness will result.

Our hope is, and our power rests upon, the glorious God who is gracious and compassionate.

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