You’ve Got the Power
ICS Daily Devotions
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV) 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!
Don’t the above verses fully describe what we see in society today? We can be religious and regular churchgoers, yet not live a surrendered life in Christ. We can be easily offended by others’ remarks and actions, and brutal in our treatment of those who have wronged us. There are Christians who are haughty, headstrong, full of themselves, lovers of the world, and like to belittle others because they have never practised crucifying the flesh, picking up the cross, and following Jesus to live peaceably with all men. If we are carnal in our thinking and our ways, our lifestyles will be no different from the people of the world.
Idolatry does not just mean worshipping physical images because we can also idolise money. When we become lovers of money, we will dishonour our words just to make sure that we do not lose out. We might even idolise ourselves by being “lovers of ourselves” as the opening Scripture says. How can Jesus be the Lord of our lives when we idolise ourselves and do whatever we want with no regard for what Scripture says? Idolatry can be subtle but will nonetheless come out of our conversations, our decision-making, and the lifestyles that we lead. Sometimes, people have misconceptions about God and blame God for what they are experiencing. Some of them may demand that God does things their way. However, God will never act or answer prayers that are contrary to His Word, attributes, and character. On the contrary, we are the ones who need to align with God’s Word, values, and principles if we want to have our prayers answered.
God is unimpressed by us having a form of godliness; He is more concerned with how we live out the newness of life in Christ Jesus through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. A power has been made available to us through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to enable us to have victory over the law of sin and death.
Therefore, let us engage the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to walk in the Spirit and not deny that power, so that we can be gracious, loving, forgiving, forbearing, patient, kind, and merciful towards people, even those who do not agree with us.
Sermon Series: Unless Your Presence Goes with Us
