Add It Up (5)
March 29th, 2007 by Matt
Last week we discussed self-control and perseverance. Next on our list in 2 Peter 1:5-7 is godliness. When I sat down to write this article I asked myself, what is godliness? Have you ever just used a word, having a sense or gut feel for what it means but not really capable of explaining it or giving a definition? This was certainly the case for me with this word. Initially I would have said something to the effect of “it describes a person’s reflection or demonstration of God’s character.” Having looked at “The Complete Word Study Dictionary, New Testament” and a couple on-line studies I think that explanation misses the mark significantly.
In the context used here in 2 Peter we can see that this term is being applied to one who is a Christian. For a Christian, the following summarizes the term godliness:
… it denotes a life that is acceptable to Christ, indicating the proper attitude of the believer toward Christ who has saved him. It is both an attitude and a manner of life…It does not come automatically, but must be something into which we must put effort…it can be faked…it is a gift from God…
In terms of the context of 2 Peter that we are looking at, I think it appropriate to highlight the inward and outward aspects of this word. It may be possible for the 3 or 4 hours a week we are fellowshipping with other believers to discipline ourselves to display the characteristics of faith, moral excellence … and have an outward godliness. However, what is going on when people aren’t around and we don’t have the “Christian” mask on? What is our attitude toward God? Is it one of absolute awe, reverence, respect, love and devotion? Or are we complacent, irreverent, and disrespectful? When our attitude towards God is right then a true, outward obedience to His word is manifested. Also, godliness is a gift of God but we still have to put effort into it.
Some additional tidbits that I thought were interesting:
Putting effort into godliness:
1 Tim 4:6-8
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Faking godliness (This can also be seen in 1 Tim 6:5, using fake godliness as a means for personal profit):
2 Tim 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Godliness is a gift from God:
2 Peter 1:3
seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.