When Paul says, “difficult times will come” – “terrible times” – he’s not referring to natural disasters or war. But what could possibly be more terrible? Answer: people being “lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power. Avoid these kind of people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Would you agree that the basic pieces of that description are already in place?

These people who make for difficult times ”hold to a form of godliness.” How disturbing! Speaking of which, Hitler made a show of going to church on occasion and, tragically, many Germans assumed the best about him because of this. This highlights the very problem: having a “form” of godliness is an unreliable indicator of true Christianity.

Yet it’s the one we’re always looking to. Make a conversational reference to Jesus or even just to spirituality, do a good deed once in awhile, be polite at the critical moments, make regular appearances at church, give credit to God for the touchdown, donate to a worthy cause, etc, and everyone will be satisfied. How stupid of us.

A form, whether it’s a paperwork form, or a form for pouring concrete, is something that has to be filled in. By itself, it’s nothing; just an empty template with an unfulfilled purpose. The power isn’t in the form, but in the completion of its purpose; and even the template for godliness is no exception to this rule.

BTW: Denying the power of godliness isn’t the same thing as denying the miraculous power of God; it’s denying the transformative power of God. Miracles are outward. Transformations are inward. God speaks the word + Nature obeys = Miracle. God speaks the word + We obey = Transformation. (Please don’t be trite about it, obedience here means choosing to learn and follow his way more accurately over time with his help; not a stunted reference to merely responding as good pets do. Note also: Miracles can be more easily dismissed by onlookers than transformations can be).

We recognize that ungodliness only has power when we cooperate with it. Entertain the idea of shoplifting and it affects your mental state; act on it and it impacts others; repeat it and its power gradually changes you into a different person. But omit the thoughts, action, repetition and it remains powerless. Simple. And it’s the same with godliness: focus your thoughts, actions and habits upon it and it becomes powerful; small changes will snowball into positive transformation in your life! But omit these and your life remains unplugged.

We didn’t have to get our act together to come to Jesus, thankfully, but his transformation waits upon our cooperation and persistent effort. Otherwise, we’ll continue in compromise and frustration, seeing God’s promises through a thick and dirty window, rather than experiencing them; and onlookers will continue to view Christianity – through us – as a myth with no power.

Your call.