The Power of Godliness

 

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

(II Timothy 3:5,6,7)

 

St. Paul is warning the young man Timothy about the diversions from faith.  It is possible to give the impression of always exercising faith and yet never reaching the goal.  Athletes set goals before them.  They try to break records.  But in religion it is difficult to know if we have reached our goal.  We can be in a state where we never demonstrate that it is possible to be victorious in all things and live like the disciples.  Such a life achieves nothing.  Ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of the truth.  We must be warned about this.  If we are steadily growing in the truth, our life itself will have a message.  Our dress, our demeanor, our speech, our observing of Sunday will speak to all around.  We must be warned about money-making-religion, gain-seeking-religion,  and no-humility religion.  Young people who do not truly develop complete dependence on God, do not cut away every hindering thing, and are lost.  God expects very great things of you.  Do not limit God.  Jannes and Jambres were men of corrupt minds.  They thought they could do without Moses.  Moses was always with God and had developed great spiritual carefulness.  He would never take a decision by himself without consulting God.  Moses with all his education and about a hundred years of experience would never depend on his wisdom but would refer all matters to God and humbly submit to God.  Timothy was like-minded with Paul.

 

When the Church becomes weak in exercising faith, wicked leaders will rise up.  You whose eyes have been opened by God can also be ever learning and never coming to the truth.  Be right with God and straight with God.  Grow deep in faith.  Like Moses, meet God every day and be corrected by Him and learn from Him every day.  In prayer learn all that you should give up. 

 

Ask God to do a very great thing and give extra-ordinary grace and power.  God did so with St. Paul.  He did so with Finney and Wesley.  God must do something new for His glory.