Godliness

In this blog post I am writing on godliness, I want to answer questions like, “What does godliness mean? How is it defined?

Why is godliness essential to a person who believes in Christ Jesus?

Where is godliness appreciated? &

When is godliness most relevant?”

We are writing on this because this blog is about building a life that is worthy of the Lord and fit for his use.

The Webster’s dictionary defines godliness as belief in God, and reverence for his character and laws; a pious life; a careful observance of the laws of God and performance of religious duties, proceeding from love and reverence for the divine character and commands.

It is also defined as the quality or state of being spiritually pure or virtuous.

[It is said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”]

[Easton’s Bible dictionary defines it as the whole of practical piety. It supposes knowledge, veneration, affection, dependence, submission, gratitude and obedience.]

There has been a decline of use of the word since the 1800s. The problem in the East is the confusion about deity. This makes it hard if not difficult to have ONE standard and law for all. In the West there has been a deliberate turning away from the revelation of the truth by God through the prophets to scientific knowledge. Nowadays the majority are not thinking about godliness but about their own happiness. And happiness is limited to personal feelings.

The true apostles & prophets of God say that we should get back to thinking about godliness and practicing it. God thinks that if a person obeys his commands and keeps his laws, that person loves God. That person can be called a godly person. God calls such a person just and righteous, even perfect.

Christ Himself obeyed the heavenly father and fulfilled the law. Christ is a godly person, a person who pleases God more than men. God testified about Him. [Man pleasers are not God pleasers and all God pleasers are not man pleasers. It depends on context and choice.] So, if I am a believer and follower of Christ, I have his example to follow. He did not only teach with words, but demonstrated with his life that it is possible to please God.

So many get deluded with keeping the body fit and it is not wrong. But life is more than food and the body more than clothes and having a good physique. For physical exercise has some benefit; but godliness is beneficial for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the one to come. Now godliness with contentment is great gain and one is not to suppose that godliness is a means to gain according to the apostle Paul, the servant of Jesus Christ. Rather, those who live godly will suffer more than those who are not; first of all, from the sinful nature within, from related people whose lifestyle promotes their own agendas rather than what is pleasing to God, and the devil. I mention this not to discourage you but to prepare you for what you should be ready for.

To influence others for God, it is required that one should be spiritually pure or else the work would be cut short. In the context of the Christian faith, to be spiritually pure means to hold the belief in one Lord and God and be obedient to the Ten Commandments not only in letter but also in spirit. God needs people like that through whom He can speak and work in this world. Are you a nominee for godliness?