260. A Form of Godliness and Denying God’s Power

“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.” 1 John 4:2.

God’s Spirit desires to fight against flesh wherever it reveals itself in the flesh. If anyone hates the word of the cross, we know for certain that their spirit is not of God, for the spirit that cares for, defends, and preserves the flesh loves the things of this world. Separate yourself from such people, and instead seek fellowship with the saints in spirit and in truth, because among them you will find Christ manifested in the flesh and also the flesh crucified with its lusts and desires. Then it is easy to experience the Spirit and the fellowship that this Spirit gives. Christ crucified in human beings is a power of God, and it is the source of victory and of the revelation of the Spirit of God.

Today people preach that Christ has done everything, and we don’t need to do anything. This sounds very nice, because it makes us appear to be a part of His work. However, it is false to its very roots, since Jesus’ work was accomplished through the dying of the Lord Jesus. In us, on the other hand, the work of the Holy Spirit has by no means been completed, and unfortunately there is still a lot lacking. How many people can say with Paul, “So then death is working in us . . .” “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh”? 2 Cor. 4:11-12. Who are they who follow Jesus in His sufferings? Only those who follow Him in this way and get to see light in His light. However when people boast about the finished work of Christ and at the same time resist the work of the Holy Spirit, they are still in darkness. Therefore go out from among them, for what communion has light with darkness? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. 2 Cor. 6:14, ff. The one who says he has no sin deceives himself. Death is unable to work in him, and neither can he have the testimony of the blood. It is the striving against sin unto bloodshed which creates the testimony of the blood in us, and it is a known fact for all God-fearing people that Jesus not only came by water, but by water and blood. 1 John 5. The testimony of men becomes superfluous where the Spirit, the water, and the blood bear witness because it is God’s testimony. Wherever you meet a brother with these three testimonies in his mortal body, you will meet God’s testimony, and, of course, God’s Spirit. But not only that: you will meet a person who has remained faithful to the Spirit.

“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!” 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

Just think that vice-ridden people like this call themselves Christians! No wonder that when a man of God touches their abominations in the power of God, they cry out with such a loud voice, “Preach Jesus!” People want a form of godliness, but not its power; and in this, even their facial expressions testify against them. Backsliders like these are found all over the place. They are twice dead, pulled up by the roots, while still testifying that Jesus has done everything and they don’t need to do anything. For them to do anything would be bondage, yet still they continue to practice all the evil things listed above. And not content with that, many of them creep into households and captivate women with their appearance of godliness, which more often than not ends in open adultery, as we’ve heard about so many times.

You can be quite certain that sin in the flesh has not been taken away! On the contrary, it flourishes. For this reason we really need Jesus to be preached, so that death and judgment can be proclaimed over all flesh. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. How much more then over all ungodliness that has the form and facade of Christianity, but lacks its power?