Godliness
I've been thinking about the word "godliness" the last few days.
The Strong's definition includes the ideas of "devout, piety, well-reverant".
I Tim. 6:11-12 says, "...O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, GODLINESS, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life..."
The definition from the Webster's 1828 dictionary says "devout" is "yielding a solemn and reverential attention to God in religious exercise, particularly in prayer."
I thought that was very interesting! Prayer is an important ingredient of godliness....
"Piety in principle is a compound of veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being accompanied with love; and piety in practice is the exercise of these affections in obedience to his will and devotion to his service."
The Puritans use to talk a lot about piety, but it seems like the subject is rarely talked about today, and I think it's very much lacking in people's lives, too. I think it's something most of us need to really work on....
I Tim. 4:7 says we are to "exercise (ourselves)in godliness. Exercise implies training and DISCIPLINE. It's difficult to discipline ourselves in spiritual exercises like consistent meditation and prayer, but we are commanded to do it.
Another verse in II Pet. 3:11 says "what manner of persons aught ye to be in all HOLY CONVERSATION and godliness." The definition of "holy" involves being BLAMELESS.
Blameless behavior! Now that's something to think about....
That would certainly include not doing anything that would offend others or cause others to think you weren't godly in some way, wouldn't it?
I've been thinking of the words "lay hold on eternal life", too.
To "lay hold" means to "seize"...to take the kingdom of God by force.
Reminds me of Mt. 11:12 that says "...the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent (a forcer) take it by FORCE."
There are going to be many who want to make it to heaven, and they will be "crowding at the door", but they won't be able to get in....because they just aren't SERIOUS enough about it. They try to get in the "wrong way" with a "la-de-dah" attitude, and they just won't make it in. Those who are TRULY saved by grace will have the enabling grace to "run HARD after God", don't you think?
At least I want to "run HARD after God"! Who will go with me?
The Strong's definition includes the ideas of "devout, piety, well-reverant".
I Tim. 6:11-12 says, "...O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, GODLINESS, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life..."
The definition from the Webster's 1828 dictionary says "devout" is "yielding a solemn and reverential attention to God in religious exercise, particularly in prayer."
I thought that was very interesting! Prayer is an important ingredient of godliness....
"Piety in principle is a compound of veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being accompanied with love; and piety in practice is the exercise of these affections in obedience to his will and devotion to his service."
The Puritans use to talk a lot about piety, but it seems like the subject is rarely talked about today, and I think it's very much lacking in people's lives, too. I think it's something most of us need to really work on....
I Tim. 4:7 says we are to "exercise (ourselves)in godliness. Exercise implies training and DISCIPLINE. It's difficult to discipline ourselves in spiritual exercises like consistent meditation and prayer, but we are commanded to do it.
Another verse in II Pet. 3:11 says "what manner of persons aught ye to be in all HOLY CONVERSATION and godliness." The definition of "holy" involves being BLAMELESS.
Blameless behavior! Now that's something to think about....
That would certainly include not doing anything that would offend others or cause others to think you weren't godly in some way, wouldn't it?
I've been thinking of the words "lay hold on eternal life", too.
To "lay hold" means to "seize"...to take the kingdom of God by force.
Reminds me of Mt. 11:12 that says "...the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent (a forcer) take it by FORCE."
There are going to be many who want to make it to heaven, and they will be "crowding at the door", but they won't be able to get in....because they just aren't SERIOUS enough about it. They try to get in the "wrong way" with a "la-de-dah" attitude, and they just won't make it in. Those who are TRULY saved by grace will have the enabling grace to "run HARD after God", don't you think?
At least I want to "run HARD after God"! Who will go with me?