May 29, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Power of Godliness
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3(NIV)
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Devotional
Timothy was from the city of Lystra in the region of Galatia (modern day Turkey). On Paul’s first missionary journey, he traveled throughout that region. During that trip, he was expelled from Antioch, plotted against in Iconium, and stoned in Lystra by residents of all three cities. Young Timothy had a front row seat.
That is why Paul wrote to him, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.”
That was twenty years earlier, but the memories were seared into Timothy’s soul. Out of this shared experience, Paul says, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (v. 12-13). Hmm. Persecution as an onramp to godliness…
By contrast, Paul warned against, “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (v. 5). Godliness for appearance sake is powerless, but godliness that is tested and true is unstoppable. Are there any areas of your life where the projected you doesn’t match the real you? What do you need to do to bring yourself into alignment with God? Part of your answer should involve the Bible.
Paul already knew that Timothy was raised by a faithful grandma and mom among an authentic faith community. So he said to him, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (v. 14-17).
How has God’s Holy Scripture shaped your life? How can you lean into God’s Word even more?
Poem
Apotrepou: Avoid!
When I was young my mother said
“There are places you should not go.”
Dark alleyways
Adult bookstores
Frat parties
Boys’ bedrooms
Saloons and taverns
X-rated movies
Apotrepou, my dear
When I was young my daddy said
“There are practices that are taboo.”
Self pity
Arrogance and pride
All forms of witchcraft
Slothfulness and apathy
Ugly speach
Loose living
Apotrepou, my child
In scripture today, the Holy Spirit says
“There are people you are to avoid.”
Lovers of self
Lovers of money
The proud, arrogant and conceited
Abusers, manipulators
Heartless, slanderous, non-contents
Reckless, fakers, disobedient
Toutos apotrepou
Avoid such places, practices, people
“Make sure your temple is strong against such.”
Good boundaries
Firm “no”
Closed gates
Shut doors
Lifted shields
Guarded minds
Toutos apotrepou
