GODLINESS

      “Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness” (II Pet. 3:11) 

Peter, in this section of his second letter is discussing the  total and complete destruction of the world and that we should be looking “for a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”  We need to know, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”  (II Pet. 3:10).  To be ready for this day we must be found “in all holy living and godliness”.  To do so, to be ready, we must understand what “Godliness” is.

By Definition:  “Godliness comes from the Greek word “eusebia” and is used in the New Testament to express the idea of inner piety or spirituality.  W. E. Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words defines this word as, ‘piety’, which, characterized by a God-ward attitude, does that which is well pleasing to Him”.  Godliness is the God-ward attitude of reverence and respect.  Along with the desire of doing what is pleasing to God.

How do we know what is Godliness?  The apostle gives us this answer in II Peter 1:3  “…seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and  godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue.”  Where there is no obedience to the truth, God’s Word (John 17:17) there can be no true Godliness or spirituality!

James points out that Godliness is not what man thought it to be. “If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them Go in peace be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; body; what doth it profit?”           Rather he tells us that Godliness is Doing:  “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself       unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27).  In this verse he also tells us that Godliness is Keeping oneself unspotted from the world.  Christians have been “called out” of the world, and are to separate themselves from sin.  (II Cor. 6:17; 7:1).

Christians (Godliness) are a people… Characterized by service…Motivated by love…Dedicated to warfare against evil…Devoted to spreading the gospel.

THE FRUIT OF GODLINESS IS SEEN…

A Godly Person Seeks God On His Terms.  Cornelius was called a devout man because he sought to please God (Acts 10:2).  The word “devout” is a form of the word for “Godliness.”  That Cornelius was devout can be seen in his response to the preaching of the  gospel.  (Acts 10:44-48).

A Godly Person Worships God in ‘Spirit and in Truth’ (John 4:24).  Whenever one follows God’s will on how to worship Him, then one is being Godly.  Worship is our attempt to give something of ourselves to God.  It is the ‘fruit of our lips’ (Heb. 13:15) the presenting of our bodies as a ‘living sacrifice’  (Rom. 12:1).

A Godly Person Shows Respect and Reverence for God by Studying and Obeying His Word.  Oftentimes we are told that our response to God’s Word is directly related to our relationship with God.  For example Jesus said,  “If you love me, keep my commandments”  (John 14:15).  To respect God we must respect His Word.

A Godly Person Is One Who Acts Properly, Reacts Properly, And Leaves No Doubt In Anyone’s Mind That He/She Is A Child Of God. God is seen in this person from the inside out and from the outside in.

By Frank Briscoe