“to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness.”
to perseverance godliness
The fifth building block of Christian character is “godliness.” We add “godliness” to our faith experience.
“Godliness” is reverence toward God. “Godliness” comes from two words: well and devout, denoting piety characterized by a Godward attitude. This person’s orientation is to please God (2 Pe 1:3, 6, 7; 3:11).
In ancient Greek, “godliness” meant to shrink from, leading to the idea of awe or reverence. The idea was veneration. Later the word developed into the idea of worship. In the New Testament, the idea is the believer’s manner of life of giving deference to God.
Elsewhere “godliness” occurs in 1 Timothy 6:3, 6, 11.
1 Ti 6:3, 6, 11, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, …6Now godliness with contentment is great gain….11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”
Being “Christian” is not fundamentally moralistic, for Christianity rests in a relationship with a person (1 Tim. 3:16). “Godliness” is more than outward, mechanical worship. It surrounds every day with conduct that honors God as Creator and Redeemer. A genuine faith experience with our Lord produces godliness in character. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make the child of God like the Son of God. That is godliness.
Tit. 1:1, “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness.”
PRINCIPLE:
Godliness is living like one who believes in God.
APPLICATION:
We are what we read mentally. We are what we eat physically. We are what we believe and practice spiritually. Why read the Word? It will do something to our souls and their relationship with God. The Word will accomplish something in our character. It will do something to our disposition.
2 Co 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Does your life indicate that God is alive and real in your life? Do you live with an eye on God, trusting Him for whatever may come your way?
Jn 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
A godly person has reverence, loyalty, and fear of God.
