KICKING POWER

"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:2-5

I think we have arrived at this place in history that St. Paul revealed to St. Timothy. He wrote these words to Timothy many centuries ago. He warned Timothy that the last days would resemble people of character like this. And here we stand in the 21st century...it does look like the last days.

"...having a form of godliness but denying its power". I used to think about this verse and apply it to those who perhaps already had a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We can come to know Christ and walk in a saving knowledge of Him. To say it another way...we can be forgiven of our sins and know Christ and know we have eternal life..."to have a form of godliness". Yet, we still find ourselves powerless. We find that although we know Jesus Christ, we are still enslaved to sin. We have not found a way to be free from the ways of this world..."but denying its power".

Christ did come so we would be set free from sin. We needed someone to redeem us; buy us back so that we could possess eternal life. He also came so that we could know freedom from sin...that sin would no longer be our master. Instead, we would have power through the Holy Spirit to resist sin and submit to God.

But I also think this verse..."having a form of godliness"...may refer to all people. We, humankind, have been created in the image of God. Yet, without Christ, we have no power. Jesus came so we would not simply look good, but so that we would be good; godly.

In Tae Kwon Do, there are several basic kicks that are used to for defense or offense. One of those is the 'Round Kick'. My Round Kick has a very nice form. It looks good! But, try as I may, I am not able to break a board with it. It has no power!

The same is true for our character. We might look good. We might resemble God because we were created in His image. But without power we can do nothing!

Jesus said it this way"...if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing".