The Things that Pertain to Godliness

The Bible describes godliness as a mystery (1 Timothy 3:16). It being a mystery means that unless you are let in on the secrets that constitute it, you will fail to recognize what it really is. Thankfully, the Scriptures solve this mystery for us: “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). Here, the Scriptures points to Jesus as epitomizing godliness, as He is the only one in all of Scripture who truly fulfills all the traits that make up the mystery of godliness. Christ-likeness, believing in and following Jesus, defines godliness. Even so, understanding the traits that points to Jesus as being the epitome of godliness, and how they pertain to us, is crucial for us to walk in godliness just as we have been commanded (e.g. 2 Peter 1:5-8, 2 Peter 3:11, 1 Timothy 6:6).

Godliness starts with Christ’s revelation in the flesh then vindication or justification (Greek: to declare, pronounce, to show one to be just/ righteous, just as he is our ought to be ) in the Spirit. Jesus came and defeated sin for us in the flesh, so that as beings living in the flesh, we can become sons of God just as He is by putting our faith in Him (John 1:12). Our journey to godliness begins with having faith in Jesus as our Saviour. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are born anew by the Spirit of God, made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and God declares us justified; just-as-if we never sinned (Romans 8:29-30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 3:3-5,16). This is not by our own doing but by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). Even so, righteousness is not only a state God brings us into but a lifestyle we have been called to pursue (2 Timothy 2:22). We can do this because God Has given us His Holy Spirit, and has put His seed in us (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 1 John 3:9), thereby enabling us to bear and walk in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23 ). This is a call for us to rely on and follow God’s Holy Spirit daily. This is how we are set free from fulfilling the sinful desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18).

Godliness as seen in the life of Jesus included He being seen by angels. So has God encompassed those who come to Him through faith in Jesus with His angels (see Hebrews 12:22, Psalm 34:7, Psalm 91:11). God did not surround us with His angels for fun or for decoration. We are told in Hebrews that angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They also harken to the voice of God (Psalm 103:20). Thus, as we speak the Word of God in faith, we put the angels of God to work to minister for us, accomplishing what God has destined them to do in our lives. This is part of our Christ-likeness, our godliness. We are not called to worship angels – that is idolatry, but we will be amiss to ignore their ministry in the lives of those called to be like Christ.

An indispensable part of our godliness is our proclamation of Jesus Christ in all the world. We are not to preach Christ to draw men to ourselves but to point to Him that men will believe in Him. This is our greatest commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and a significant proof of our Christ-likeness, being conformed to His image and doing the works He did (Romans 8:29, John 14:12).

When we walk in godliness, just as He has epitomized for us, we will also be taken up in glory just as He was (2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). And we will be like Him when He appears because we will see Him just as He is (cf. 1 John 3:2).

-Dr. K. Omari
February 3, 2020.

A Very Important Message

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour:

“I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”.

If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.