title godliness
Contents
Text: Psalm 1:1-4
Godliness (敬虔) is the Greek word ‘eusebeia’, and it refers to the attitude of life in which man, as a creature, humbly submits to his Word out of reverence for the Creator, God. In very simple terms, this is “a life of obedience to the Word.”
As 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “Physical exercise is beneficial for some, but godliness is beneficial for all things, with promise in this life and in the life to come.” God chooses godly people from among those who worship Him and makes them God's blessings. 1 Timothy 6:11 exhorts us to “flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness”.
Also, since godliness is a specific virtue that believers who long for the divine nature must possess, 2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “Into your faith, add virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control patience, to perseverance godliness; Give godliness brotherly kindness, and brotherly kindness love.”
How important is reverence? The Bible strongly commands, “Great is the mystery of godliness” (1 Timothy 3:16), and “turn away from those who have the form of godliness but deny its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).
So let's compare the godly and the ungodly whom the Bible compares.
I. Who are the ungodly?
① He who does not bridle his tongue.
These are cheaters and liars. James 1:26 says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue and deceives his heart, then this man’s religion is in vain.” John 8:44 testifies that the devil is the father of lies.
② Someone who loves money.
1 Timothy 6:10 says, “The love of money is the root of all evil, and those who long for it have been deceived, and have erred from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
③ Those who live according to their lusts.
In Jude 1:18, “They said to you, There will be scoffers in the last days, walking after their ungodly lusts.”
④ A person who brags and flatters.
Jude 1:16 says, “These are murmurers, grievers, walking after their lusts, and with their mouths they speak boastful words, and for their sake flatter.”
As a result, these people will be judged by God (2 Peter 2:5-6). The flood judgments and the judgments of Sodom and Gomorrah are mirrors to the ungodly.
2 Peter 2:5-6 “He did not forgive the old world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and his seven household, and brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly, and turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, condemned to destruction. He has set an example for those who will come after generations of ungodliness.”
II. Who are the godly people?
① A person with the Holy Spirit.
Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit and met the baby Jesus and praised God (Luke 2:25).
② A person who longs for the temple.
As the saying goes, “Godly Jews came from all over the world and dwelt in Jerusalem (the temple of God)” (Acts 2:5), devout people enjoy gathering in the church, the temple of God.
③ A person who lives righteously.
A godly deacon, Stephen, lived for the truth and was stoned and martyred (Acts 8:2).
④The family is the one who stands upright by faith
Seeing the godly family of Cornelius, he became a priest and lived a life of almsgiving and prayer (Acts 10:2). Therefore, God sent an angel and clothed him with spiritual blessings.
Then what blessings come to the godly?
① The Lord will deliver you from temptation.
2 Peter 2:9 promises, “The Lord rescues the godly from temptation, but keeps the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.” If you keep falling into the test, think, 'I am ungodly!'
② He hears their prayers (Psalm 4:3).
John 9:31 confesses the assurance of answering prayer, saying, “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but to those who are godly and do His will.” In other words, the absence of answers to prayer is God's signal to look back on your ungodly self.
③ You will be persecuted with the promise of a reward.
2 Timothy 3:11 testifies, “You have seen and known persecutions and afflictions, and also in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, and what persecutions you suffered, and out of all these the Lord delivered me.” The greater the persecution, the greater the reward in heaven.
Dear members of Shepherd Church,
Godliness is such a precious and blessed thing. I pray that you will become godly children of God in an ungodly world.
Let's all confess our faith. “I will live reverently all my life.”
Therefore, I pray that you will receive God's approval, be loved and used preciously, and be filled with spiritual blessings.