Growing in Godliness

     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