The goal of Christianity is to grow in the image of Christ. It is like a child growing into maturity. He will occasionally try on his father’s shoes. When he is young, his feet are swallowed up by his father’s massive shoe size. The child, however, is not discouraged, but has the steadfast desire to continue his growth. We too, should have the same zeal when it comes to our spiritual growth and development.
One area we
must grow is in godliness. Godliness is “humble reverence and deep piety toward
God.” Without godliness being developed in our lives, we cannot begin to please
God. Paul stressed the importance of this growth by saying, “Therefore, be
imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). Again, he writes, “Imitate
me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
We simply
cannot be pleasing unto God, nor can we be godly ourselves without imitating
the characteristics of God. It is, therefore, imperative that we learn the ways
of godliness and ensure that we are growing properly in the image of Christ.
The question is, “How do we ensure we are growing in godliness before our God?”
The Demand
for Godliness. The demand for godliness teaches us that the importance of
godliness cannot be overestimated. Perhaps we have all heard our doctor at some
point tell we need to exercise. While this is certainly good for us to do, we
must also acknowledge we have a greater purpose. Paul wrote, “For bodily
exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having
promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1Timothy
4:8) Godliness is profitable for all things because we are not merely living
for the here and now, but for our eternal future to come.
To secure our
eternal future, we must be like Christ. We must have the same perspective of
living that Christ held. He said, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father
has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John
8:29). The purpose Jesus had in His life was to please the Father.
Too often, men today
live to please themselves rather than their Creator. Admittingly, it is easy to
get caught up in that perspective. We are constantly being bombarded with all
types of distractions. In fact, the devil is a master of distracting our hearts
and minds from what is truly important. Therefore, we must die to the things of
this world, and put on the mind of Christ.
The
Development of Godliness. The only way to develop godliness is to exercise
our spirituality. Paul told Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be
an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,
in purity.” (1Timothy 4:12).
It is our
responsibility to set an example of godly living before the world. Afterall,
there is no one else besides Christians who will accomplish it. If we take this
responsibility seriously as we ought, then we will be motivated to exercise our
spiritual lives in all areas that Paul mentioned. In fact, we will be motivated
to exercise ourselves in all the Christian graces.
Peter wrote, “But also
for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue
knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to
perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly
kindness, love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter
1:5-8)
The Display
of Godliness. The display of godliness is not just an external condition.
It would be easy for anyone to behave in a godly manner if they only had to do
so for a short period of time. Godliness, however, runs deeper. We must not
only behave in a godly manner under certain circumstances, but rather godliness
must always be maintained. This caliber of behavior can only come from within.
Godliness from
within can only come from guarding our motivations. Paul wrote about having the
proper motivation even when doing seemingly good works. He said, “And though I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3).
The thirteenth
chapter of 1 Corinthians deals with the motivation of love. Even if we do great
charitable deeds for others, but do not have love, it does us no spiritual good
before God. Therefore, godliness must be displayed by being properly motivated
from within. The motivation for all we do must be in accordance with the will
of God.
As Christians, God
expects us to grow in the image of Christ. We can certainly accomplish this by
understanding the demand for godliness, the development of godliness, and the
proper display of godliness within our lives. The more we exercise ourselves
toward godliness, the more like Christ we will become!
God Bless Each of You,
Eric Hicks
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