Daily Devotion

Dear Berean TEAM and Friends –

2 Timothy 3:5 says, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

The last days will be characterized by all kinds of wickedness and evil (v. 1), but many people will claim to be religious. They want what Christians have, but they don’t want the power of God. They want the security of a relationship with Jesus (Jn 10:28-29), but refuse to have Him rule their lives (Col 3:15). They want their own god (Mic 4:5), but refuse to obey God’s Word and its life changing message (Mk 8:34)! They have a "form” or resemblance of “godliness.” You may see them in church – they will claim to be good and decent people. But their lifestyle proves that their profession of faith is false (Rom 1:21-22). Paul tells us that these types of people in the last days are religious but lost! They may profess to know Jesus as their Savior (Mt 7:22-23), but they never truly possess the Holy Spirit in their lives (Eph 2:5-6). Anyone who repents toward God and receives Jesus as his Savior by faith (Acts 20:21), will have a genuine change and a newness of life (2 Cor 5:17)! The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who are saved (1 Cor 6:19) shall convict us not to wallow in sin anymore (1 Jn 3:9). Religion that cannot save; cannot change and can never satisfy (Col 2:8)! You may not see it, but I believe that we are in those days right now! Paul says "from such turn away." But we need to identify them (Mt 7:20). While we cannot judge a person's eternal destiny (Mt 7:1-2), we are commanded to “prove all things” (1 Thes 5:21), and see whether or not they are the kind of people who will either build us up or tear us down (1 Cor 15:33). If their fruits prove to be evil, we can surely pray and try to reach them for Jesus, but we also need to separate ourselves from their works (Rom 16:17). God bless you!

-Pastor Melito Barrera