Godliness

Where the love of God is there will be fruit in godliness. Godliness means exhibiting the qualities of Godlikeness. This is what it means to be led by the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is seen in us. It is not our fruit, but His fruit working in and through us to others. Godliness means we act and behave as God would, because we are His children and are like Him.

We are what we do, not what we merely “believe”. “The devil believes and trembles”, meaning his believing does not transform his life (James 2:19). Worship refers to the way we live. Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but offer your bodies as a spiritual service of worship.” (Rom 12:1-2). This means worship is what we do with our body. If we count God as worthy it is shown by how we live.

In 1st Timothy, godliness is mentioned nine times. Paul told Timothy to keep godliness at the forefront of his message in ministry. The gospel must produce godly living in people, or our ministry is vanity. Doctrines that tickle the ear, to attract members and promise them power and prosperity and that do not produce godliness, are false teachings. Many teach pointless doctrines that do not equip people in sound faith and a moral life that glorifies Christ.

As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside to vain jangling. (1 Tim 1:3-6).

Our goal is not that people might be happier, or more fulfilled, but that we all might live a godly life. This leads to genuine happiness. “…But godliness is profitable for all things, having promise for the life that now is and for that which is to come.” (1 Tim 4:8). The opposite doctrine is that gain is godliness: “…Men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim 6:5).

The goal of our preaching is that we and others should “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” and not be caught up in fruitless debates, disputes and harshness of spirit, laziness and gossip (1 Tim 2:2). Speculations about doctrine are fruitless, unless our study produces godliness.

“But refuse profane and old wives' fables and exercise yourself rather to godliness.” (1 Tim 4:7). Self-fulfilment and self-actualisation are not the purpose of our ministry, but godliness. We must get our minds off what we can get from God and allow God to transform our lives.

All sound doctrine produces godliness, which is seen by our works. These are not works of the law, but works of faith. “We are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He has before ordained, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10). Works of the law are those we do to be accepted. Works of faith are the fruit of His Sprit working freely in our life. He that does not have works of faith does not know God.

Godliness is our life style. We reflect the attributes of God in kindness, tender-heartedness, forgiving others, ease with which we can be entreated, industriousness, usefulness, cooperativeness, love, mercy, honesty, straight forwardness, not double tongued, nor proud, deceitful, tempered, bitter or self-centred.

If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine that is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing…(1 Tim 6:3-4).

Doctrines about miracles, that do not produce these qualities in us, are not of God. What fruit does our teaching produce in our life and in the lives of those who hear us? Does our teaching work, in the godly or biblical sense?

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Tim 2:22-26).