For This Reason [Part 4]

2 Pet. 1:5-7

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

The Greek translation of godliness is devoutness, piety, devotion to God. Just from looking at the word itself, I would think it would mean 'becoming like God.'  1 Timothy speaks specifically to women. ...but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works.  So what precedes the but?  Women should be respectable in their appearance, not drawing excessive attention to hair or jewelry. Instead they are to be clothed in their godliness that is their good works, their countenance, and their submissive spirit. For the most part, women like clothes. So in this case, it is taking off one garment of ungodliness and putting on one of godliness. 

However, godliness intersects more areas than appearance. When it comes to the mind, Timothy goes on to say, Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; Perceiving with the mind is key to even knowing what godliness is about. So mucking about in every new fad that comes along is foolish. Romans says, Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that by testing  you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Definitely a godly mind would be a transformed mind. But to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. A godly person would definitely have a spiritual mind set. Finally, we are to be united in the same mind and the same judgment. How is this even possible? Because we are to have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. 

Another area crucial to godliness is the area of exercise. In our culture, exercise has become a new fad. 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. Even as good as exercise is in maintaining good health, still godliness is a better pursuit. The reward of godliness is eternal. This life is only a short blip compared to eternity. Where should my emphasis be?

But godliness with contentment is great gain...Contentment is a quality that few possess even in the Christian community. But it is a key marker for godliness. If we are content in Christ, we are not wanting to fill up any gaps in our life with anything but Jesus. Contentment reduces the ill effects of materialism and wealth. To be content in Christ is a thing to be desired.

And finally, godliness should be pursued. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. We are to be like God in our substance not just in what God has implanted within us. We must grow, pursue, and desire godliness.

By way of review, women are to be clothed in their godliness [good deeds and appearance]. We must keep our minds godly by filtering out what shouldn't be in our minds at all, and by living in the reality of a transformed mind. Godliness must trump exercise which doesn't mean exercise is to be avoided. And finally contentment must be in the life, without it, there is no godliness.

Father,

I have wanted to be godly for so long, like the Sarah from 1 Pet. Lord, as I do this study take me on this path. In Your grace and strength, grant me to gorw in godliness.

In Jesus name,

Amen