Do You Fear God? (Part 19)

Another trait of the people of the last days is that they have a form of godliness, but they deny its power. A form of godliness is an outward appearance of reverence for God. Denying its power describes religious activities that are spiritually empty. Their activities have nothing to do with a true relationship with God or with individual faith in Jesus Christ. Titus 1:16 (NKJV) states: “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” Religious practices are a part of these depraved people’s lives, but the power of God plays no part in directing their lives. The depraved person learns much, but never puts learning into practice and never gives homage to the Source of Truth, Almighty God. Such people cannot be counted as believers. Dr. Charles Ryrie states that they have outer semblance of religion without its spiritual dynamic. Churches and temples of worship are everywhere. Many professing Christians claim and profess godliness, but their worship is only a form, only an outward profession, only an appearance of godliness. Pastor David Stooksbury states: “They may be professing, but they certainly are not possessing!” They do not possess God for they do not have him in their hearts and lives. Positive preaching, name it and claim it preaching, and health and wealth preaching are perversions of the Word of God for personal gain. Following such preachers is leading millions of people down the road to a Christless eternity in hell! You can profess God and Jesus. You can be baptized and sprinkled into the Christian faith. You can attend worship services. You can participate in the rituals and ceremonies. You can recite the creeds. You can talk about God and still deny the power of God to transform your heart and, thus, your life. Dr. W.A. Criswell states: “Particularly deceitful and dangerous are those who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God. Every generation has its advocates of theology and religion who view these disciplines as either philosophy or history but deny God’s ability to intervene in the affairs of men.” What is the power of God? It is the power to deliver men from the bondage of sin, death, and hell-all through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the power of the CROSS upon which our Lord died for our sins and was resurrected from the grave after three days. The power of God is the power to save people from perishing in hell and to give them eternal life in heaven. Romans 1:16 (NKJV) states: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” How can you say that you have been transformed by the power of God (born again), but you live in habitual sin and are never convicted of this sin by the power of the Holy Spirit? This is what Paul is referring to as having a form of godliness but denying the power of the gospel. In Matt.3:8 (NKJV) John the Baptist, the man who God used to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus states: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” In other words, the daily life you live is a living testimony that you have truly repented of your sins and made Jesus your Lord and Savior by faith. Does this describe you? A watching world should be able to tell that you belong to the Lord by the way that you live, without your telling them. In Matt.7:20 (NKJV) Jesus states: “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” William Barclay states: “The final condemnation of these people is that they retain the outward form of religion, but they deny its power. That is to say, they recite the orthodox creeds, they go through the movements of a correct and dignified ritual and liturgy and worship; they maintain all the external forms of religion; but they know nothing of religion as a dynamic power which changes the lives of men.” In Matt.15:7-9 (NKJV) Jesus states: “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Does this describe you? Are you doing all the right religious things, but in your heart you are empty? Can you be called a hypocrite, professing to be a Christian, but yet living like those who are not Christians? Today, allow the Lord Jesus to transform your heart. When you do, you will experience true life change. You will live differently!