Godliness in Our Living

Godliness in Our Living.

II Cor. 1:12

             Seems Paul is here defending himself against accusations, in that they were questions Paul’s integrity. Paul states he and his workers had handled themselves with integrity and openness. Godly is the quality or practice of conforming to the laws of God or showing reverence to God. II Cor. 7:10, “for godly sorrow worketh (produces) repentance (leading) to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow the world worketh (produces) death”.

            Godliness is used 15 times. 10 time in books of Timothy, 1 time in Titus, 4 times in II Peter. All are same Greek word except one, I Tim. 2:10, “but which becometh women professing godliness with good words”. Meaning here “the fear of reverence of God”.  The other 14 means to be devout, denotes piety (kindness) characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well pleasing to God. I Tim.2:2, II Peter 1:3.

            If we possess godliness in our lives, we will always have the right attitude toward our Father, toward each other and the world. Godliness, overall, is not seen in the world today. Ungodliness rules the world today. Ungodliness is a disregard or defiance of God’s laws. It not merely thinking of violating God’s law, but the actually act of doing so. Our world is filled with this today.

            Ungodly (not showing reverence) is the act of not conforming to God’s laws.  Jude 15, “to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of their ungodly deeds (not doing deeds of God) which they have ungodly committed”. Jude gives warnings to those who do such. God will execute judgment upon all, but especially those who are ungodly. He will convict those, “who have spoken against him (God). Did not practiced of conform to God’s laws.

             What makes us godly people? How or by whom do we obtain this godliness in our lives by our obedience to the laws of God? The word “author” is used 3 times in NT. In I Cor. 14:33, this word seems to have been added. Some versions may read, “ for God is not a God of confusion but peace”. Other 2 places it is used is Heb. 5:9 and Heb. 12:2, each with different Greek words.

            Feared in Heb :5 7 does not mean Jesus was afraid of dying, his fear was that of a Godly fear, piety, reverence and devotion for God his Father. Ours’s should be the same, devotion to obeying Gods laws. Hebrews 5:9. Vines states the word author is “that which causes something, source, beginning. Describes Christ as the Author of eternal salvation unto all who obey him, showing that Christ, exalted and glorified as our High Priest, on the ground of His finished work on earth, has become the personal mediating cause( or causer) of our eternal salvation. Vines goes on to state, “He is the concrete and active cause of it. He has not merely caused or effected it, He is, as his name, Jesus, implies our salvation”. Luke 2:25, 30, 3:6. He became the cause of our salvation, that our sins could be forgiven and that our lives could be characterized by a Godward attitude.  (godliness). Rev. 22:14. This is the very thing the unbelieving Israelites out of Egypt did not do and their disobedience which grew out of unbelief cost them their rest.

            Heb.12:2, “author and finisher of our faith”. Translated “Prince” Acts 3:15, “and killed the Prince of life”. Acts 5:31, Vines states, “one who takes the lead (chief leader—Strong’) in or provides the first occasion of anything. Heb. 2:10. Captain meaning, “the source from which a thing proceeds. Milligan states, “one who leads or acts as principal in any given enterprise. Christ is the beginning or our faith.

            But also the “the finisher”, one who brings any scheme to its full and perfect end. The writer of Hebrews is saying concerning justification and redemption, Jesus in the leader and completer.

            If we are a godly people, and practice God’s laws he has given us. If godliness dwells in us and we are characterized by a Godward attitude, our faith will be completed in by Christ.

- CL Bruner