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- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2
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REFINEMENTS OF
CHRISTIAN VIRTUE: GODLINESS (2Pe 1:3-10) 9-16-12 Grace Bible Church, Gillette,
Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. ADD MORAL EXCELLENCE II. ADD KNOWLEDGE III. ADD SELF-CONTROL IV. ADD PERSEVERANCE V. ADD GODLINESS A. DEFINITION OF GODLINESS 1. Practical
Obligation Toward God a) Godliness,
though spoken of by many, is a Christian Virtue that may not be understood.
The Greek word for “godliness” is euse,beia
from eusebęs which literally
means to “worship well.” b) True worship itself is often misunderstood
or not fully comprehended. Often times worship is limited to church and even
singing praises unto God. There is no question that the believer worships
when going to church and singing praises unto God, but worship encompasses
much more that those two aspects. In fact, a true concept of worship includes
all aspects of the believer’s life. Worship is giving God praise for His
worthiness in every aspect of life by living accordingly. When a believer
does this consistently and thoroughly, he is “worshipping well” and thus
living in godliness. c) Godliness can be described as man’s
practical obligation in obedience to God. It could even be called the
believer’s “religious duties” and would include synonyms such as pious,
devout, reverent, or God fearing. Godliness is having a proper attitude
toward God leading to a pious, devout, reverent, and God fearing life in
every area and practical obligation. 2. Not
Necessarily God-likeness a) Though
the English translation may lead us to believe that “godliness” is “god-likeness,”
it could better be called “god-wardness.” b) Rather than attempting to imitate the
character of God, godliness is concerned with fulfilling its religious duties
to God. B. THE GENERAL SCOPE OF THE
WORD GODLINESS 1. Religious
Godliness (Act 10:2, 7) a) The
Scriptural use of godliness is broad enough to include an individual who is
sincerely devoted to religion. b) Cornelius is described as a “devout” (eusebęs) God-fearing man (Act 10:2). Though he
converted to Judaism (proselyte) and rejected Gentile paganism, he does not
receive Jesus as Messiah until Act 10:44. c) Here the use of godliness can refer to a
sincere religious person because he is sincere about religious duties (though
it does not mean he is saved). 2. Pseudo
Godliness (2Ti 3:5) a) Godliness
can also be broad enough to describe the spiritual devotion of unbelievers in
a negative sense. b) Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the
character of unbelievers in the “last days” (2Ti 3:1). Unbelievers are
described as having a “form” (mo,rphōsis
- outward form) of “godliness” (euse,beia)
but denying its power (2Ti 3:5). c) Here the use of godliness can refer to a
pseudo spiritual person in a negative sense because he rejects Christ. 3. True
Christian Godliness (1Ti 3:16) a) So then
the meaning of godliness has to do with outward devotion and obedience to
religious duties. Godliness finds its truest fulfillment in a true believer
who is devoted to his practical obligation to God out of a true worshipful
heart. b) Godliness finds its ultimate fulfillment
in Christ who would have been perfect and righteous in His religious duties
to God as a man. In an early creed of
the church, the great “mystery of godliness” was Christ who was revealed in
the flesh, becoming the perfect man, and fulfilled His religious duties to
God, especially the redemption of sinful man (1Ti 3:16). C. THE BELIEVER’S APPLICATION
OF GODLINESS 1. Godliness:
A Christian Virtue (2Pe 1:3) a) As with
all Christian Virtues, God is the agent who powerfully provides them for the
believer through His new nature. b) This includes the virtue of godliness, in
which the believer fulfills his practical obligations and obedience to God.
The believer is able to do this in “everything pertaining to life and
godliness.” 2. Doctrine
that Conforms to Godliness (1Ti 6:3) a) Paul
taught that the goal of biblical teaching is love (1Ti 1:5). But he also
teaches that doctrinal teaching has the goal of conforming
the believer to godliness. b) Correct doctrine is necessary for correct
duty. Devotion to correct Christian
duty is godliness. c) How does a believer know what is godly
behavior or not? By following the teaching of the Word of God and applying
its principles to every aspect of life (in relation to: worship, church, personal
devotion, Bible, prayer, evangelism, edification, service, citizenship,
employment, personal behavior and speech). 3. Holy
Conduct of Godliness (2Pe 3:11) a) Christ is
not only the believer’s Lord; He is Lord over all the
universe. As Lord, He will judge the world’s sinfulness and destroy the
heavens and the earth (2Pe 3:10). b) Such power demands true worship
(worthship) by His people. True worship affects the believer’s conduct in all
holiness in every practical aspect of life. 4. Dignified
Liberty of Godliness (1Ti 2:2) a) The
believer’s desires and prayers are to have the freedom to carry out his
religious duties (godliness) within society. b) There is no guarantee that government will
not oppose Christianity. In some areas the believer’s godliness (religious
duty) is to carry out obedience to God in spite of opposition from government
(Prayer - Dan 6:10; Evangelism - Act 5:28-32; Assembling - Heb 10:25; Beliefs
- religious liberties, sanctity of life, biblical marriage etc.). 5. Godliness
with Contentment (1Ti 6:6, 11) a) Godliness
is one of the themes in 1 Timothy (9 times), seconded by 2 Peter (5 times).
Four of the eight uses are found in chapter six of 1Timothy (1Ti 6:3, 5, 6,
11). b) Some false teachers see godliness (i.e.
religion) as an opportunity for lucrative gain (1Ti 6:5). But true godliness
sees godliness itself as great gain (1Ti 6:6) especially with contentment.
Contentment is being thankful for what God has provided and not discontent
with what you don’t have. c) Godliness and love of money are such
opposite extremes that the believer is to flee such evil, while pursuing
godly virtues (1Ti 6:11). D. OBSERVATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS 1. Connection
of worship and practical godliness 2. Pursue worshipping well in life (1Ti 4:7) 3. Ask the question “Is this (thought,
wordy, deedy, activity) worshipful?” |
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