Mark This

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 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. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV 1984)

My Musings – How could such behaviors possibly have “a form of godliness?” And who are the “people” that Paul is referring, that we should “have nothing to do with them?”

A form of godliness – I spent the first twenty years of my forty-eight-year career as a corporate tax professional. In addition to making sure that the companies I worked for were complying with the various tax laws, I also helped structure transactions to achieve the most favorable tax treatment. In so doing, I had to make sure that the underlying substance was consistent with its form. Otherwise, it would be viewed as a sham transaction.

Many who profess Christ do not possess Christ. They may have a “a form of godliness,” but their underlying substance is far from Christlike. They are “sham Christians.” Imitators who purport to be genuine. But they lack a truly transformed life, “denying its [the Gospel’s] power.” “Because it [the Gospel] is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ (Romans 1:16–17, NIV 1984). Living by faith cannot merely mean “having a form of godliness.”

The people – We, as Christ followers, are commissioned to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15, NIV 1984). The world has always had and will always include people who have the characteristics noted by Paul. Without any pretense of godliness. We cannot “preach the good news to all” such people, while simultaneously “[having] nothing to do with them.” Thus, it would not make sense that these are the people that Paul is referring to.

It seems more likely that Paul is referring to those who insist on and persist in behaviors that belie a true born-again experience. It could also refer to wayward believers under church discipline.

These behaviors have always existed, which begs the question, how will they differ in last days that will be so terrible? Jesus warned us of the birth pains. As the end of the age draws near the frequency and intensity will become increasingly greater. As it was in the days of Noah, where “how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time,” (Genesis 6:5, NIV 1984). Even some who profess Christ.

My Advice – “By their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say…’did we not [do all sorts of things] in Your name?’ I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'” (Matthew 7:15-16, 21-23, NIV 1984).

Make sure your profession is not a sham. “I [Paul] warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21, NIV 1984).