2 Tim. 3:5 “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Should godliness have a form? The word form means to “outline” or an “outward semblance.” The outward form is what truly separates the Christian from the world. It is necessary that men be able to see our actions since they cannot read our thoughts. Through this “form” we manifest good works. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” Matt. 5:16. It is through this form that our faith is demonstrated. “But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works” Jas 2:18. Don’t tell me about your faith, show me! James said.

Paul warns Timothy that in the last days perilous times would come, (2 Tim. 3:1). He begins the list with lovers of self (vs. 2), and ends with lovers of pleasure, (vs. 4). In the next verse Paul warns that these individuals had a form of godliness, but denied its power. They had an outward expression of godliness but lacked the power and strength of true godliness. These individuals represent the same mentality as the Pharisee’s that Jesus faced during His ministry. They appeared to be men of God but in reality they were merely hypocrites! Jesus said about them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” Matt. 23:27-28. These individuals were the spiritual Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! They had the appearance of godliness without the real conviction. They were sticklers to ritual, “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” Luke 11:42. Their spiritual life was based totally on pretense and not fact. There are many today who show that they have a form of devotion to God, but inside they are removed from Him. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” Matt. 23:25. This is exactly the person being described by the apostle Paul in 2 Tim. 3, “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” And then he warns that they have a semblance of godliness but deny the power. We must have the power of godliness as the catalyst for the form. The power includes our conviction and faith to obey God’s word. When Saul spared many of the livestock and the life of Agag king of the Amalekites, he blatantly disobeyed the command of God. Listen to the word of God through Samuel, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams” 1 Sam. 15:22. God first expects our full obedience and then godliness will be the result.

Terry Jackson