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The Godly Life

Many people see Christians as hypocrites. This is often because many Christians present themselves as “godly” only to stumble in sin. Some mistakenly think that they can archive “godliness” in their own strength by being “good” and resisting sin. This is a mistaken application of what the bible calls “the flesh” and can frequently result in failure. The bible has two verses that directly apply to the godly life;

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; - Titus 2:11-12

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. - 2 Timothy 3:12

We are told that Christians “should” live godly in this present world. It seems to be a matter of choice. It also seems that those who would chose to live godly “shall” suffer persecution. It would also seem that there would be little incentive to live a godly life. Jesus is our example of someone who lived a godly life and he was put to death at age 33 at the instigation of people who thought they themselves were “godly”.

At the time of Jesus it would seem that the people of Israel divided themselves into three groups. The biggest group was the general populace who seemed to consider godliness an option for those who were extra spiritual like the Pharisees. The Pharisees themselves, and the few like Anna and Simeon who actually were godly. Christianity today seems to have followed a similar pattern.

In praying to God the Father for his disciples, Jesus gives a good picture of some of the elements to be found in godliness;

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. - John 17:14-18

There are two salient points that can be taken to have application for us. The first is the utter incomparability between godliness and the “world”. While we may have to live in the world, the Christian should be constantly aware of its hostile and corruptive nature. Secondly, being sanctified (set aside for a holy purpose) is accomplished through immersion in God’s word.

While not specifically mentioned in the prayer of Jesus, being freed from the influence of the flesh allows one to walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16). Immersion in God’s word provides sufficient appreciation for, and knowledge of, truth such that one can see his own need to reject the influence of the flesh. The disciples would have the Holy Spirit to instruct them (John 16:13). For Christians today, we have the Holy Spirit whose work is to make us more godly (Gal 5:22-23) as long as we do not “quench” the Spirit (1 Thess 5:19). Through immersion in the word of God we grow in our knowledge of truth. This greater insight gives us the understanding we need to abandon our connections to the world and our indulgence of the flesh so that by walking more and more by the Spirit his work in us opens the door to a godly life.

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