A form of godliness

I was listening to a familiar passage of scripture when a particular phrase caught my attention. You'll probably recognize the passage:

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 3:2-5 NIV (emphasis mine)

I have a vintage dress form that stands in my studio. In a past career, I was a seamstress that specialized in bridal and formal wear. I loved taking a flat fabric and giving it shape and style. Tailored suits still catch my eye and I love to see novel and imaginative touches worked in or on fabric in all sorts of styles.

I don't have as much time to sew these days, so my dress form will occasionally display a vintage suit, a formal gown or a fun jacket. Why? Because it doesn't look the same on the hanger as it does on the dress form. Because the form fills it out and makes it look better. But I also know that if I take it off the dress form it will not stand on its own. That garment will never serve its intended purpose until I put it on a living, moving body.

I think some people are content to display their faith like I display certain outfits. I may have done it myself on occasion. We dress up our faith to make us look good, to let people think there is substance under the surface. We want "the look" of a good Christian.

But if we really examine it (or worse yet, if someone else does) that show of godliness is hollow. Just like the emperor's new clothes, there's no substance. It might fool a few people, but it won't stand up to the close scrutiny of daily life. There is no God at the core of it. That nasty list above might be all too visible if that's really what's underneath. Just like the garments I put on display, the "form of godliness " may look the right shape but it ultimately cannot stand on its own.

But that's the power of true godliness - truly having God fill our lives - it puts substance behind our faith. It helps us fulfill our intended purpose. It helps us stand. It shapes us - past, present and future - as we let God use us for what He intended.

Ultimately, a hollow faith is merely foolishness (see verse 9 of the passage above). So let's not just display the form of godliness, let's keep God at the core and let Him fashion for us true robes of righteousness. It's better than being the dummy in the window.