Godliness

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Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Devotion:

            These days the Christian is bombarded with all kinds of what we call conspiracy theories, and “fake news” making the rounds in the world. These types of things were probably what the Apostle Paul had in mind here when he refers to “irreverent and silly myths”. Anything that turns your heart from God for even a moment should be regarded with suspicion. Achieving this level of attentiveness to God requires much self-control. Self-control as it turns out is part of training yourself in godliness. We should, as Christians, seek to live godly lives. Because living godly lives leads us to peace with God, our neighbors, and ourselves.

            How can you tell if you are living a godly life? Simply put a godly life is one that is one where you are content with your circumstances in life. A heart that is full of strife, one that is at war with God, can never be content. And not to be content means you are not living a godly life. This world, the flesh, and the devil conspire to ruin a Christian’s peace. These things are set against us because they are all really of the devil. The devil is the enemy of God and of all those of us who seek to live godly lives in contentment and peace.

            True humility is also the mark of a godly life. Pride will steal your peace. Pride will make you desire things that are not of God. A humble person has an accurate assessment of his or her relationship to God and thus is content with their life situation. The humble person takes success or failure in stride and is not greatly disturbed whether situations turn out well or poorly for them.

            Here is another scripture that will help us see what benefit we get from living a godly life:

“11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13, ESV)

            Again, Paul stresses the need to train ourselves to live a godly life. He holds out the promise that living the godly life will help us on our journey to be with God in heaven. Self-control is again a key theme in helping us along the path to godliness. Let us pray for an increase in godly living among all peoples.

Prayer:

            Father in heaven we come before your throne of grace to ask that you would change our lives. Change us from the self-indulgent, selfish creatures that we are by our sinful nature into self-controlled, selfless servants of yours in the world. May all the world know us Christians as a people filled with faith, hope, and love as we live godly lives in this world. We ask this in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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