Contending for the faith | Making Disciples | Equipping the Saints for Ministry

by Rayola Kelley

Q: “So much garbage in churches today… heard a bunch from some people the other day. As I was thinking… Christian? These people are supposed to love Jesus? Anyway to my question: My Bible reading that night was 2 Timothy Chapter 3. Great timing. After the listed of what people will be like (sounds like today huh?) my NIV says "They will have a form of godliness but deny its power"  First of all is this chapter referring to the church? And what does it mean to have a form of godliness but deny its power? I am assuming false religion has a play here. Maybe you could shine some revelation in [easy] terms. Thanks.” 

A: There is a lot of garbage in the Church. People are running around claiming they are Christians. But, as a wise man once said, just because there is a mouse in the cookie jar, that does not make him a cookie. Hence, enters Jesus famous warning in Matthew 7:21-23. There will be those who have done things in the name of Jesus, but fail to do the will of the Father. The key here is Lordship. We can be doing all kinds of deeds in Jesus' name, but He is not in it. He is not calling the shots. He is not Lord. Jesus stated if you love Me, you will obey Me. In Matthew 23, we have Jesus separating the goats from the sheep.

     We are living in the end days, the counterfeits are growing. We must discern them in our midst. It is not a matter of what they say, although such people give themselves away eventually, by the spirit behind them. Spirit will determine environment. When a wrong spirit is present, it causes confusion and will suck the very life out of you. Jesus stated we will know them by their fruit. Fruit is made up of spirit + attitude + doctrine = fruits or the quality of your conduct. To have quality means you have character or integrity behind your conduct.

     When a person has a form of righteousness without the power, it means they have an appearance or façade of righteousness, but do not possess the right spirit. Such righteousness is a personal righteousness, but has no power to be upright. It is the right spirit that ensures we are upright in disposition, attitude and conduct before God. Without the Spirit, we do not have the means to please God and do right by others. I hope this answers your question.