More Than Just Looks

Oct. 11

Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-16

More Than Just Looks

“…having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (v.5)

We don’t often think of having permission as Christians to “avoid” someone. The idea of intentionally not being around a person… walking the other way when we see a person headed towards us… not answering the phone when a person calls… and things of the like seem just plain rude. Yet, the scriptures right here in 2 Timothy encourage us to avoid a certain type of person. There actually are people that we should try not to get involved with; people whom the most “loving” thing for us to do for them is to simply not be around them. It is kind of shocking to think about really.

There is a type of person who seems “godly” on the outside but actually rejects the power and work of Christ. They have the appearance of “godliness” on the outside… giving it lip service…. but “deny it’s power”. It is quite possible to look the part of the people of God but actually not at all trust or believe that God’s power and presence in the world has any real effect. This is how one “denies the power” of Christ and “godliness”. A “denier” has no expectation for the Lord to change their own hearts nor the hearts of others. They become desperate in a situation because they deny the fact that God can and does actually work in this world. This sort of person scoffs at the idea of anything “supernatural”… anything beyond what humans can do on their own. This sort of denying yields a false”appearance of godliness”. In short, it looks godly but is not… it is empty of power… and God’s kingdom comes with POWER. This idea is not only found in 2 Timothy, take a look:

“If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” (Col. 2:20-23)

“We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.” (2 Cor, 5:12)

The POWERFUL work of Christ in us actually transforms us. It doesn’t just change our “outward appearance” but actually our very “heart” and “nature”. It is so much more than just “looking good” on the outside. The tree “godliness” that is worked out by Christ in us can and does embrace the actual and true POWER of God… Christ in us … and affirms that it is working in this world. We must stop denying the power of Christ in us. When we become hopeless… when we think things will never change… when we act as if we are still slaves to sin or that our nature has not truly been changed… we are “denying the power” of God even if we “appear godly” on the outside. The Devil wants us to be powerless, God is powerful and he dwells with us. Avoid people who only look godly, but actually deny the power of Christ. That is how serious this issue is… it is serious enough to be “avoided”. It is wild to see that such a condition (the appearance of godliness while denying power) is included in a list of other things that clearly seem “more evil” to us. This “appearance only while rejecting the power” matter may actually be more evil than we realize… more contagious than we think… which is why we “avoid it” like we avoid someone who has the stomach bug or is sick! This is not an illness that you want to catch. Seek out and surround yourself with godly men and women who affirm the power and work of Christ in this world and in us. Learn from those who walk closely with Christ… affirming the transformative work of Christ in us and in the world. If you find yourself a “denier” - call out to the Lord and he will draw you near. (cf. James 4:8) Through the power of Christ in you, “take captive” those denying thoughts and hand them to Christ. (cf. 2 Cor. 10:5) We dismantle the “strongholds” and patterns of thinking that war against the truth of the Lord. (2 Cor. 10) Love you guys!