Topic: Godliness Is About Your Conduct [Friday, January 13th]
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness (1 Timothy 4:7).
The word “godliness” above actually means piety towards God, piety to spiritual or godly activities. It means devotion. It doesn’t refer to inner righteousness or inherent holiness. It’s about the things you do, how you respond to God, and to the things of God. For instance, there’s a way you ought to behave when you come into the house of God, because church isn’t like everywhere else. It’s a place of worship. There’s an attitude of reverence you ought to have when you come to church.
Godliness is about your demeanour. Your dressing matters; some piety is necessary in your dressing. There’s a decency that goes with the Spirit of God, and that decency must be in your life. There’re outward things that people should see in you, and say, “Yes, this is a Christian.” They can’t see it in your heart, but can see it in your character. That’s what godliness is about.
There’re movies you shouldn’t watch. There’re books or magazines you shouldn’t read. There’re places you just shouldn’t be found in, because you’re different. And if for any reason you find yourself in such places, you ought to go in there with godly piety. Yes, that’s the life you’ve been called to live. Your presence in a place should exude and transmit the righteousness of God, for you’re a tree of righteousness, producing fruits of righteousness.
Never lose sight of who you are; you’re different. You’re the symbol and embodiment of God’s glory, perfection, beauty, and righteousness. See and carry yourself as such: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 AMP).
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for giving me your righteousness as a gift, and inspiring in me the consciousness to walk in a perfect state of piety. I live true to my nature and calling in Christ as I bear fruits of righteousness and inspire many by my piety to spiritual and godly activities, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study: || 2 Peter 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, ||
|| Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ||
|| Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. ||
|| 2 Peter 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. ||
Daily Scripture Reading
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 10:1-23,
Genesis 31-33
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 5:41-48,
Genesis 13
