THE FORM AND THE POWER.
By R. F. Cottrell
I UNDERSTAND that the form of godliness is seen in religious assemblies for preaching, prayers, exhortations, and ordinances; and that the power is the renovating, transforming work of the Spirit of God upon the obedient heart, which is only manifested in the daily life, in good works, in following the example of Christ, keeping the commandments of the Father, and doing those things that are pleasing in his sight. These are the things that cause the Christian's light to shine, and by which he confesses Christ, and reflects his image, and thus manifests to those who see his good works the transforming power of the religion of Jesus Christ. But the thing is reversed at the present time. The power is only seen in the public assemblies. They meet together and have a powerful time; and when their season of worship is over, you do not see a marked distinction in their lives, evincing to all the transforming power which should distinguish them as the followers and imitators of Jesus. It does not cause them to be very circumspect in their obedience to all the commandments of God. But instead of this, the blessings which they receive in these powerful meetings, furnish them an argument against reforming their lives by keeping the commandments which they are neglecting. Reformation, they argue, cannot be necessary; because God accepts and blesses them without it. And how do they know that he accepts them while neglecting his commandments? Because they experience so much of the power of godliness in their meetings. I must differ from this, and claim that the form is seen in seasons of worship, and the power is only manifested in doing the will of God. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven." The form without the power was to be a leading characteristic of the religionists of the last days. And we see protracted meetings and the profession of religion growing more and more popular; but those who are willing to transform their lives by the teachings of the word of God, thus doing the will of the Father, are few.