Paul warns us in II Tim. 3:5 of those who "have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof". On the surface, these people seem to be devoted. They have a form, an outward semblance of true godliness. They read the Bible and pray. They use words like grace, love, and faith. But there is a fatal flaw in their religion. They deny the power of godliness.
How does one deny the power of godliness? There are three ways it can be done. 1) The power of godliness is denied when we deny the source of that power: the sovereign grace of God. When salvation is ultimately conditioned upon the will of the sinner rather than the will of God, the source of power is denied. 2) The power of godliness is denied when the means through which the power comes is denied. Rom. 1:16 says concerning the Gospel message, "it is the power of God unto salvation". When someone says it is not necessary to preach or hear the true message of the gospel, the power of the gospel is denied. 3) The power of godliness is denied when the results of that power are denied. When we give sinners some hope that they are saved when they have not bowed to and willingly embraced the Gospel, and when they have not "denied self, taken up their cross, and followed Him", we are guilty of denying the power of godliness.
May God in His mercy deliver us from this great crime of denying
the power of godliness!
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