Check under the hood

Scripture

 

2 Tim 3:5 “They will act as if they are religious but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that”.

 

Observation

 

Paul is warning Timothy of the religious form that will occur in the days before the return of Christ. The performance, the rituals, the rules, the self righteousness and self importance that people will posture before the crowds will be found empty, shallow and powerless because they have accepted the façade and rejected the essence. Paul’s warning stresses the need to stay away from such deception as it easily seeps into the atmosphere of the credible follower of Christ and attacks the very purity of truth. The very power that could be the transformational essence of their lives lays locked in a secret cupboard, the truth and revelation it bears, that could revolutionise their lives has been rejected and they have chosen to keep it hidden from others.

 

Application

 

Following Christ is not a cloak and dagger lifestyle. When I decided to follow Christ I checked under the hood! I don’t get up each day and put on a costume to cover the person I’m trying to hide from everyone and then enter the day as an actor on the stage. My life lays bear before God. Each day my thoughts, my motives, my character lay open for him to see. It is in these areas that my life is on trial. If I choose to reject the testing and purifying of these I join the ranks of the hypocrite and false and just postulate the form of Christianity but actually live a lie that will be found out in the times of adversity and confrontation. It is so easy to live in such a place because living a life devoted to Christ brings constant internal conflict. But it is in this conflict that I find the power that transforms and godliness rises out of my brokenness and sorrow. It is this quality that is the fruit that my Saviour sees and it brings substance and depth to the life I say I’m living.

 

Prayer

 

Oh Father, give me strength to run the race to the end. I don’t want to be found wanting in the midst of the race but I seek the power of your Holy Spirit to equip me to see my life produce the fruit that declares the endurance of a true son of your kingdom.

 

Jim Jung