Empty Religion
February 8, 2021
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. 2 Timothy 3:5 NLT
This is a first-century definition of the difference between fans and followers. It’s the difference between “Christians” and Jesus-followers. Paul is talking to Timothy, giving him a warning about people who look good, but they are empty. We don’t like to hear it, but these are the people among us who actually fit the description of hypocrites, because true followers of Jesus have the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead in them. We advertise that we are those people, and the world has the right to expect powerful living from us. But we don’t have it and they don’t miss that fact. We are empty—and, sadly, we don’t know it. Alexander McLarren said, “The worse a man is, the less he knows it.” He goes on to explain that the less passionately and obediently we follow Jesus, the less we tend to think that this description might possibly apply to us. However, he said, “Many of us substitute outward connection with the Church for inward union with Jesus Christ.”
Paul tells Timothy that empty religion is a constant danger for all of us. It is easy to fall into the trap of saying one thing and living another way, of being “good” but not obedient and powerful. He also tells Timothy that there will always be leaders and “Christians” who tell people that half-hearted living is okay. They appeal to people’s desires and felt needs for comfort, ease, popularity… and convince them that following Jesus doesn’t really require all that.
As Paul goes on in his letter to Timothy, he straightforwardly tells him to avoid people like this. He didn’t say to be unkind, but he said to make sure this is not the circle you surround yourself with. You will become like the people you spend the most time with. Your closest friends and the people you seek out should be people who are pursuing Jesus as their number-one priority. You will sharpen each other, and your lives will have multiplied impact. On the other hand, Paul ends this thread of thought to Timothy with this assurance: “This kind of religion will fail.” He even says in verse 9 that someday everyone will recognize what fools they are.
Being a fan instead of a follower is easier, for sure. When you do that, you are claiming the name of a follower without paying the price to truly follow. But it can’t last, it will never be satisfying, and you will be spending your one and only life without making an impact for the only thing that truly matters.
Fan or follower? Empty religion or the full life Jesus promised? (John 10:10). Your choice.
- Who are the people in your life who inspire you by example to be a follower? Who do you have that draws you to just being a fan? What will you do about it? How can you help others choose to truly follow?