Anchor
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:4-7
Memory
verse: 1 Tim 4:8B
But godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
INTRODUCTION
In our previous lesson, we saw that patience comes
through trials and difficulties. We also discussed three reasons why we need
patience. Today’s lesson shall examine godliness, what godliness is, what it
does, how it is acquired and the place of contentment in Christianity.
WHAT
IS GODLINESS?
The principal idea expressed by the word godliness
is reverence toward God. It means consecration, holiness and righteousness. Godliness
means Godlikeness. That’s being like God in true holiness and righteousness. Godliness
also means the fear of God. Godliness must be expressed in two ways in our
lives namely:
INWARDLY:
This
refers to the purity and cleanliness of the heart and soul before God. It is
having a heart that is totally yielded to God, void of any blemish. When there
is inward godliness, the believer must find joy and satisfaction in intense
communion and fellowship with God (Psalm
73:28, Psalm 51:10, Ezekiel 36: 26-27).
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
OUTWARDLY:
Some
people who want to justify their flaggerant display of carnality and
worldliness argue that God does not look at the outward appearance of a man but
only his heart. But this is far from the
truth as revealed in the scriptures. God looked at Adam and Eve and saw that
they were naked, then He made clothes from animal skins and put it on them to
cover their nakedness. Inward
consecration will show on the outside of a man. For out of the abundance of the
heart, the mouth speaketh. When there is outward consecration, it will show in
your words, dressing, the way you walk, the kinds of food you eat, the places
you enter, the kinds of friends you keep etc. See Eccl 9:8, John 4:34, 1 Cor 15:15
THE
BENEFITS OF GODLINESS
Godliness is profitable unto all things. This profit
is seen in two aspects:
A.
Relating
to Temporal Life- 2 Peter 1:8, 1Tim 6:6, John 10:10b, Psalm 36:8, Matt 6:33
It guarantees all that a man will
need in this life, be it good health, protection, long life, prosperity,
success, favour, joy, honour, wisdom and blessings etc. Godliness with contentment
is indeed a great gain.
B.
Relating
to Eternal Life-Rev 21:3-4
Godliness guarantees eternity in heaven
at last. The life which is to come will not depend on men’s academic
qualification, social status or financial capacity but on their commitment to a
life of godliness while on the earth. In heaven there is no more pain, sorrow
or death. Godliness is the highway to heaven.
HOW
GODLINESS IS ACQUIRED
Primarily, the grace to live a godly
life and to walk in the fear of God is imparted to the believer at salvation.
When old things pass away, all things become new (2 Cor 5:17). Our desire to reverence God increases as our knowledge
of God increases. As we grow in the knowledge of God, we find our lives
patterned more and more after the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2-3). Again, we need to follow after Godliness ( 1 Tim 6:11). To follow is to go after
and to pursue persistently. Also we need to exercise ourselves unto godliness (1 Tim 4:7). As physical exercise is
health and strength to the body, so is spiritual exercise health and strength
to the spirit and enables us to live righteously. Moreover, we acquire
godliness by putting into good use those talents, gifts and abilities that God
endowed us with to expand His kingdom (2
Tim 1:6).
GODLINESS
AND CONTENTMENT
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Tim 6:6-9
Concerning religion and contentment,
Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:6-9, under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gives this heavenly equation: Godliness +Contentment
= Great Gain.
There are three types of persons put for
discussion.
Those
who are rich (1 Tim 6: 6-8). What did we bring into this
world? Nothing. What can we take out of this world? Nothing. So, then if we
have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. Those who want to be rich,
“The love of money is the root of all
evil”. As Christians, we should flee these things and follow after righteousness. Those who are rich in this world should not
be proud but put their hope in the living God and do good works for God’s
kingdom and for humanity. We should be rich in good work.
CONCLUSION
Beware of the earthly formula: Gain is
godliness or religion is a way to become rich.
This is precisely how the ungodly understand Christianity. Such people
are described as the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction (Titus 1:10-11, Phil 3:19). Though
godliness is extremely beneficial to us, yet without brotherly affection and
love, we are but a sounding cymbal.
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