Form

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2Timothy 3:1-5 NKJ)

Gustafson wrote: "We fuss over form and we put on a face, All the while showing God disrespect, Not seeing how pride is eclipsing God's grace That the light of Christ's life should reflect."

There are so many perils in our world. In addition to war and earth-shattering typhoons there is self-love and a long list of resulting perils (see Paul's list above). The Apostle warns us to not put ourselves in danger by associating with such perilous people.

The wisdom of Paul's counsel can be easily seen when we acknowledge our own human weakness for pride. The Bible is replete with warnings about pride and it is perilous to ignore them. False detail, embellishment, and ornamentation have become the post-modern decorations. Unfortunately the Church has not escaped this peril.

Many people are like the SUV owners who purchase "Spray-on-Mud" to make their contemporaries think they have been in the mudflats all day. In a British pub, some friends created the idea to sell mud to city dwellers who want to give the appearance of off-road, fun without ever leaving town. This mud in a can creates the form but belies the reality.

God continuously calls us to authentic faith. His apostle has warned us of people who practice a form of godliness but deny the power of God. A form of Christianity without the inward power of Christ is a deception of pride.

Dear Father, thank you for the reality and power of Christ. Grant that we may reject the peril of pride and truly trust in the power of the Resurrected Christ. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Receive the power of Christ today,