What does it mean to be “godly?” Man, trying to get an answer to that question would be like opening the floodgates! There are so many different ideas. Some will throw out dress. Some will throw out actions. Some will throw out a church/religious group. Some will throw out legalistic rules and regulations. My guess is that for every person we might just have a different idea of what godliness is.
One thing I think we will all agree on: there is no doubt that godly lives speak volumes. The truth is…we know that. No one has to tell us “the first task of every Christ-follower is to be like Jesus.” Lay the guilt trip on me! But it is true. Our lives are under constant scrutiny, a microscope to be exact. Our lives are being watched in the private and public sector. If we are parents, for example, trust me when I say our children are looking to see if “mom and dad are the same at home as they are at church.” Co-workers are standing at the cooler or on the assembly line or in the lunch line watching and listening to see if how we live backs up what we say. Talk about pressure!!
My sermon Sunday from the “Signs” (of spiritual growth) series is “They Live Godly Lives.” My Scripture will be Ephesians 4:25-5:4. On Monday I will post some of my thoughts from the sermon. In the meantime, perhaps you can help me out. What is your idea of godliness? If someone were to come up to you and say, “Define godliness so I can understand it,” how would you answer them? Notice the colored portion of that question. No Christian-ese. No God-speak. I would appreciate your thoughts and help.
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Godliness – living in a way that honors God in all areas of life.
Have a great weekend and see you on Monday! 🙂
Thanks Jim. Looking forward to seeing you Monday at Sticks.
Living in a way that reflects the God you claim to believe in.
Thanks Jason.
“Christ died for the ungodly”.
The Godly don’t need Him.
Help me out Steve, please. I am lost on how that defines godliness. Thanks for coming by.
That’s a hard question to answer. Growing up, Godliness was no tv, no secular music (or Christain music if it was at all contemporary), dresses only, no short hair, no Christmas, no Easter, absolutely no Halloween, no pork products (which is strange because I wasn’t raised Jewish), no saying “gee” or “dang it” or “gosh”… and the list could go on forever.
As a child I thought Godliness was an impossible list of rules that I had to follow. Now I see things differently.
I like what Jim says about living a life that honors God. I think that is very true.
I don’t think Godliness is a certain length of hair or type of clothing. I think it is an attitude of the heart that will show in the way you conduct yourself in daily life. Of course we will still make mistakes and I think that’s where grace comes in.
I’ll be interested to read your thoughts on this on Monday. 🙂
Sounds like you grew up in a pretty fundamentalist church home or SDA. But you are describing exactly what I had pictured in my opening paragraph. Thanks Jenn for sharing that. So glad you are out of that now. It is an attitude of heart. Hopefully won’t disappoint on Monday. Thanks.
I’d define godliness as a reflection of God in every part of our lives. It can also be defined as the portrayal of the qualities of God’s love in you.
Bill, I’ve just prayed for you and the church community. Have a blessed weekend!
Will you be around on Monday? I thought Monday was the first day of the Sticks conference.
Good definition Mercy. Thanks. Sticks starts Monday evening so I will have time to be around here off and on, depending on reception. Thanks for asking and for your prayers.
My idea, or the first thing that comes to mind is reflecting Christ. I don’t think that there is a better model for that.
Praying for you this weekend.
Reflecting Christ…that is it in a nutshell. Prayed and praying for you this weekend also Michael as you speak to the teens. Will certainly miss you at Sticks. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would have been like for you, Jim, and me to spend that time together. Look out Orangeburg!! 😛
Godliness is to look more like Jesus. In everyway of course. From our actions, to our judgment, to our passions. We are being transformed into His image day by day.
Preach your heart out… then, drop the mic and walk away (new style). 🙂
You have it pegged Moe. Not too sure about your new style though. That could get me fired. Although my mic cut out last week on me. Thanks for the comment.
I would tell them that just as the moon has no light, we have no light of our own. We are only a reflection of God’s light, and we can only reflect that light when we are in the proper position–just as the moon. And the only way to be in proper position to reflect God’s light is to be looking squarely at Him without the world or anything else in the way.
I read that in a child’s devotional and thought that it hit the nail on the head 🙂
Reminds me of the old song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face…” People will see his reflection when we are staring at him. Thanks Lori for the visit.
Growing up, it was doing good things. I’m thankful that He has shown me just what Michael said, simply reflecting Jesus.
Doing good things sure gets tiring. Grace is a much better way. Thanks for coming by Dustin.
Godliness is really knowing Jesus and spending your life in an attempt to live like Him. Note that doesn’t mean making people in the church happy with you because I don’t think Jesus did that, I would say almost exactly the opposite. So, I think that is contradictory to the typical making yourself all pretty on Sundays, putting on a suit and a smile and smoothing out the edges.
Most definitely Jim. Godliness is an attitude of the heart, and a desire to live for Jesus 24/7. What a difference we would make if we reflected him more outside the Sunday deal. Always good to have you come by.
Hi Bill,
I’ve been reading in the gospel of John again. In ch 14:20 to 24 it says that ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching’ ‘My Father will love him…..’. In verse 24 it says ‘He who does not love me will not obey my teaching’.
These verses are not all inclusive in being godly, but I think they are a good indicator as to how a person is doing in Christ. If we have no interest in being obedient to God then it is very doubtful that we have godliness.
Good thought Linda. it goes back to reflecting Jesus. Thanks.
Godliness is knowing the difference in between who Jesus was…and who we aren’t!
What a great way to put it Ed! Thanks.
Godliness is living in close relationship with God. Knowing Him and His word. I would say something like this and not much more, because I like to keep things simple and clear.
Keeping it simple. That is what I like. Thanks Dan.
Oh, this is a tough question (especially for someone who hates “correct” answers – and this is one of those where they are sort of unavoidable…)… Okay…
If someone came to me and asked that question, I would say that godliness is discovering the real myself – and the “Imago Dei” inside – since I do believe that God has created us in His (Their) own image (and I don’t believe that He looks like a human – unless it’s Jesus we’re talking about) – His image is inside me (and everyone else) – our spirits or souls. Hopefully that makes sense.
Oh, on the topic of the parents acting like Christians throughout the week and not just on Sundays. My attitude towards our youth pastor has changed (not that we weren’t friends, it’s just that i started viewing him more like a role model after that) when I heard something his son said (and my youth pastor wasn’t around at the moment, it was just something Pasha mentioned offhandedly and he obviously didn’t think it was important):
“Oh, my dad keeps reading that Bible all the time. You can see him reading it and re-reading it.”
He said that, shrugged, and walked away… and I simply stood there, with new respect for my youth pastor (who finally grew up). Kids do watch us (whether we are their parents / brothers / sisters / friends / teachers / whoever)…