Journal Entry by Paul Davila
S – Scripture: 1 Cor 13:1-8 ( NIV)
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people”.
O - Observation
What an interesting chapter this is, as Paul writes some clear warnings to his disciple Timothy about how he should conduct himself and his teaching and key things to be aware of.
What stood out to me was verse 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.
I have read this many times and saw something new today.
Q: How can someone have a “form of godliness” and yet display some of those awful characteristics Paul mentions in the first 4 verses? They seem totally contradictory.
Godliness according to what we know is NOT – treacherous, unloving, proud, greedy, self-centred, unforgiving etc etc.
Q: So then I have to ask myself – how can there be a “form of godliness” if these other characteristics are in play?
Well we see it in everyday life – how often do we see the non-believing in our society play the moral card. They make believers or those who try to live by God’s standards look as if we are evil. We are intolerant, we are “unchristian” etc etc.
The word “form” in the Greek is morphosis -which means the mere form or semblance. In other words it is like a poor substitute – a fake – a good imitation. Something that mistakenly resembles something else.
A - Application
So the challenge to Timothy just as it is to us is this. God calls us to practice and teach godliness. This is something genuine and deep rooted not the substitute that on the surface may resemble it but in reality is nothing like it.
Q: How do we do this?
By living what the Scriptures tell us. Paul says this to him in verses 14-17.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
P - Prayer
Father, we are just noise without your love, help us to love all who cross our path without judgement or reservation because you loved us first, in Jesus's name, Amen.