Religious But Untransformed

 2 Kings 13-14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3 

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them…always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.”

2 Timothy 3:2, 5, 7

This description of both the culture and the Church in the last days is sobering. Without death to self, religion and even biblical teaching can become enablers of carnal living and habits. The power of God to transform lives is found in the Gospel which is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The power of his promised Holy Spirit is available for those who repent of their sin and believe in Christ. When the Gospel and the Holy Spirit are merely words and not realities which are experienced, they do not bring transformation. Repentance and faith require the engagement and surrender of our will to God. The self-willed individual will not be transformed by classes, teachings, or religious services. This untransformed form of godliness is like a religious cloak we wear when we are in the presence of other Christians, but discard when we leave. Jesus calls us to radical discipleship and a life lived on mission with him in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s not settle for anything else!

“Lord Jesus, I repent for having a form of godliness, rather than the Gospel and power of your Spirit in my life. I surrender my will and life to you, for your glory.”