GODLINESS

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but GODLINESS is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” – 1 Timothy 4:8

“…add…to patience, godliness…” (2Pet.1:6c). GODLINESS is a foundational spiritual attribute that is required to complement patience, self-control, knowledge, virtue, and faith. It refers to a pious and practical devotion to God and to all that pleases God. It is a manifested preoccupation with God, rather than with the world. It may be better understood by considering its opposite – Worldliness: which is enjoying or wanting to enjoy this world and its pleasures in like manner as the people of the world or those who do not have Christ. Worldliness is the state of being conformed to the world in all manner of thoughts and conduct, thereby producing ungodliness. The Grace of God teaches us to deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts”, but “live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Tit.2:12). Godliness is a determined and disciplined practice of our Love for God; the practice of disciplined cooperation with God on the pathway to Christ-likeness.

Godliness involves ACTION and BEHAVIOR: It is a visible, tangible quality of life; a quality of true reverence for God and a reverential trust in Him. Godliness has a “form” but this must carry the power of God: “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2Tim.3:5). It has a behaviour or manner which respects and honours God and all that are His. God’s Word expects you to “know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God…” The next verse then summarised the great “mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” (1Tim.3: 15-16). Godliness is empowered from within, but must manifest without. Godliness is Devotion in Action!

Godliness involves EXERCISE: this is one reason why it has to be added to Patience. Godliness makes patience real and practical. Patience needs to be exercised through godliness: “Let patience have her perfect work…” (Jam.1:4). Essentially, godliness is therefore a key by-product of the perfect work of patience: “…exercise yourself rather to godliness” (1Tim.4:7). Godliness is practical, not abstract or theoretical.

Godliness involves DISCIPLINE. Growth in Christian faith does not come accidentally or by idly away. Godliness demands working out a simple but consistent scheme of life with basic scriptural guidelines or rules, whereby we may engage in meaningful and profitable spiritual exercises for the discipline of mind and body. These include: Bible reading, Bible study, prayer hours, private worship, and regular fellowship with the saints. These must be cultivated into regular, everyday habits. As regards godliness, consistency is the name of the game. For you to become a Christian who daily defeats the devil, then you must discipline your soul unto godliness. The training scheme may be simple, but you must keep at it as if your whole life depended on it: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but GODLINESS is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1Tim.4:8). You must avoid unprofitable distractions (1Cor.9:24-27).

Let’s ponder on few nuggets of wisdom that could enhance our Cultivation of Godliness:

• Acknowledge the “truth which is according to godliness” (Tit.1:1);
• Be taught and train yourself – through discipline and obedience – in the “doctrine which is according to godliness” rather than human or false doctrine (1Tim.6:3b);
• Flee evil and unrighteousness; and “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness,” while fighting the “good fight of faith” (1Tim.6:11-12a);
• Reject trivialities and determinedly “exercise yourself rather to godliness” (1Tim.4:7);
• Give room for the Spirit and Power of God to give life to your “form” of godliness (2Tim.3:5).

In short: by God’s grace, train yourself to be godly! Perhaps there is no higher compliment that can be paid to a Christian than to be called a godly person. Therefore, instead of decorating and polishing our own aging and fading carnal image, we need to be guarding, maturing, and reflecting the Image of God, which is being perfected in us through Christ. That’s the perspective and pathway to true godliness.