GODLINESS  

Text: 2 Peter 1:4-7

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 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.

A. WHAT IS GODLINESS?

The fifth is "godliness." "Godliness" is the Greek noun ‘eusebeia’, which we saw in 2 Peter 1:3 -- profound or "awesome respect accorded to God; devoutness, piety, godliness."

B. SAY NO TO UNGODLINESS!

The words godly and godliness actually appear only a few times in the New Testament; yet the entire Bible is a book on godliness. And when those words do appear they are pregnant with meaning and instruction for us.

When Paul tells us that God’s grace "teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives" as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ  - (Titus 2:11-13).

C. WHAT ARE THE MARKS OF GODLINESS?

What are the marks of a godly person? How does a person become godly? "What do you think of when you think of godliness?"  Godliness certainly includes Christian character, but it is more than that.

1 Timothy 6:11 says to “pursue godliness,” to follow after it, which clearly indicates it won’t just happen upon us.  It won’t “find us.” We must make the choice to actively pursue it.

E) MARKS OF GODLINESS

Seven Marks of the Godly from Psalm 1:

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers...For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." v. 1-3, 6

1 Blessed Person in Life

His life is blessed - “Blessed is the one….” v. 1

He is blessed by God. He prospers. He is happy, he knows God has good in store.

Walking in Godliness

2. He keeps himself from evil - He “does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers…”v. 1

He has a walk of integrity, humility, dependence upon God, and lives a life of self-control.  He chooses to set himself apart from sin, temptation, or those who walk contrary to God’s ways.

3. He has a love for God’s truth - He is the one “whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” v. 2 -

 He has a heart and love for God’s word.  He immerses himself in the Word, spends time reading it, and thinking about it throughout the day. It is his very guide for life; he lives by it, leads by it, and seeks to know God’s wisdom.

4. He lives a life of strength – He “is like a tree planted by streams of water…” v. 3 -  

His character is strong. He is wise.  He knows where life is found, and knows where to plant himself. His roots dig down deep into the foundation of God’s truth. He soaks up truth to nourish his spirit.  The water he draws from is not stagnant or stale, but he receives a constant supply from the fresh flowing stream of living water that never runs dry. He depends on God for life itself.

5. He has a fruit-filled life - His life “yields its fruit in season…” v. 3

 There is good that comes from the life of the godly. He has positive, valuable, and fruitful, influence on the lives of those around him. The fruits of God’s spirit are evidenced in his life - love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.  He trusts God through every season of life

6. God’s favor is with him - He is the one “whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” v. 3

He is prosperous. He works hard. He does not run dry, for God is with Him, equipping, filling, and blessing. His spirit is healthy, active, and growing. God’s favor is evident in his life, and he is successful in all that He calls him to do. It is not mere outward prosperity that is the true measure of God’s favor; but a deeper, more significant soul prosperity.

7. God watches over his way - “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous…” v. 6

He walks close to God. God protects him and knows, or watches over his way.  His eyes are towards him and His ears are open to his prayers. His future is secure and safe in God’s hands. No matter what he is up against, even in the face of death, God is with him, both in this life and the next.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father God,

We pray that you would raise up a mighty, new gathering of godly men and women for your Kingdom.  We pray that you would bless those who seek first after you, we pray that you would give wisdom and help keep our feet from evil influence, we pray that you would instil a love and fervour for your Truth, we pray that you would fill us with a life of strength as we depend on you, we pray that fruitfulness would be evident in our lives and others would know that it is only there by your good hand, we pray that your favor would shine over your people, we pray that your protection would guard our way and keep us safe.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.