There is a form of godliness in theology and phillosophy; but the power of God is in the testimony of the saints. It is the witness of how Jesus saved one, healed one, delivered one, and gave wisdom to another that unleashes the power of God into our midst. This is the witness of Jesus Who died but, yet, lives. The evidence that proves He is alive is in the hearts and minds of those in whom He dwells and actively working in lives of those who belong to Him.
There is a form of godliness in oratory and Biblical teaching; but the power of God is demonstrated by the Love that the saints have for one another. It is through their ministry to one another that the Love of God continues to flow even in a world darkened by the power of sin. It is in loving one another with the Love that can come only from God that takes each of us from unloved, to loved, to loving, and even to the loving of our enemies. This Love cannot be destroyed by the hatred that reigns in the world. God is Love and God cannot be destroyed by hatred or any other power that is in the world today.
There is a form of godliness in spiritual principle and knowlege of Biblical facts; but the power of God is found in the deeds of the saints. These are not good works of their own choosing but the works of God Himself personally directed to each saint by His own Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit that begot Christ Jesus is also at work in the heart of every believer, molding them into the image of Christ. The very works of God wrought in them and through them are the fruits of this same Spirit. Works of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; works that infuse even the most menial daily task. These are the evidence of faith in Christ and the proof of the Spirit that indwells all who belong to Him. These Spiritual fruits, the very works of God in our own hearts, that prove our faith to be genuine and the absense of such same fruit reveals a faith that is dead.
There is a form of godliness in God meeting our needs and making His work visible to us in the form of His provision. However, the power of God is seen in the saints who walk by faith and not by sight. Those saints who suffer hardship, persecution, and the destruction of self, for the Name's sake, yet, give glory and praise to God and in His strength persevere. This unseen power preserved in the hearts of believers over the centuries who have continued despite the long waiting, to look upward in anticipation of the return of Jesus and the great gathering of the saints when, for them, the faith will become sight.
There is a form of godliness in warning those yet blind and deaf to Christ of certain destruction; but the power of God is in those made blind given spiritual sight and brought to repentance by the goodness of God. This goodness made evident to them through the lives of the saints by their kindness and longsuffering concern for their very souls. These saints in whom the light of Jesus shines forth in a dark and dying world. These saints who offer the Hope that is only Jesus to the billions who are without Hope. Even in seeing the Hope that is still far off of every eye seeing Jesus and every knee bending in acceptance of Jesus as Lord. This the completed purpose of those of us called out in Christ Jesus, the saints of the Lord.
2 Timothy 3: 1-4 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.
Heavenly Father, keep me ever mindful of your Power that is in the daily living of my life for You. Awaken your people to this Power and give them a hunger for You that can't be satified by the forms of godliness that deceive. Give us discernment of those within our midst who are lovers of themselves and not lovers of God. Give us the strength to turn from them that the true church of Jesus Christ would not be oppressed through their evil works. Though the world is made up of the same, help us not to turn away from the world in fear but to be fearless in presenting Your Son to a world that is dying, the same world that Jesus the Christ came to save. Amen.
Romans 10:15
"And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
The Lord lives, and forgives those who call on His name with all humility and supplication. Come to Me and repent. To this end I gave My life as a ransom and payment in full for your sins past, present and those sins of tomorrow. ~ Jesus [Letters from God and His Christ - Volume 1 - Return Home, Your Father Calls]