Exercising Yourself Unto Godliness
Study Text: 1 Timothy 4: 7 - 8
Introduction:
- As Christians, our priority must be kept on eternal things which cannot be seen, and not temporal things which are seen.
- Paul tells Timothy that the same work and commitment that others put towards physical exercise should be put toward the pursuit of godliness.
- Godliness means to have the character and attitude of God. This is a worthy goal for the believer, much more worthy than the potential attainments of physical exercise.
- Bodily exercise profits a little in that it has some value, it is good for a while, while exercising unto godliness is good for all eternity.
- Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is, and the one to come: The value of godliness is both in the present sense and in the eternal sense. Godliness makes the life that now is better, and give us the best of God all throughout eternity.
- Though, godliness does not make this life the most comfortable, or richest, or most pleasurable, or easiest in the life that now is, it undeniably makes it the best, the most contented, and the most fulfilling life one can live in this world.
- At the same time, godliness is the only guarantee of a profitable life which is to come. There are many pleasures or achievements in this world that obviously has nothing to offer for the life which is to come.
- We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:
1. The Portrait of Godliness
2. The Pursuit of Godliness
3. The Profit of Godliness
1. The Portrait of Godliness:
- The greatest compliment that can be used to describe a Christian is to refer to him or her as a godly person.
- Godliness for a believer, is not an option in the development of an acceptable character which is well pleasing unto the Lord. 2 Peter 1:6
- Godliness is not reserved for a few believers in the Bible days, or for some group of super saints in our own days. The privilege and the responsibility of every Christian is to pursue godliness, to study godliness, and to practice godliness.
- What then does it mean to be godly?
1. The Desire to Reverence the Things of God
Godliness is having a reference fear for God, and taking seriously the things of God. The heartbeat of the godly person is the desire to respect and reverence the things of God. They enjoy life because they enjoy the Giver of life.
- Do you have a desire to reference God and take the things of God seriously? If you do, you are well on the path to godliness.
2. Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness
- If we want to be godly we must long for God, seeking Him first and the righteousness of His kingdom. David was such a man. He vividly expressed his longing. Psalm 42:1-2
- Intensity for God, hungering and thirsting after His righteousness, is the heartbeat of a godly person. The godly person is content in their relationship with God, but never satisfied with the present experience. They always yearn for more.
3. Total Trust and Confident Hope in God
- Godliness involves putting our total trust in God with a sustained hope in His help and blessings without looking back.
- The pursuer of godliness focuses attention on God in all things. The trouble and tragedy of modern man is that we tend to divert our focus away from God.
- It is quite possible to become an idolater. An idol is anything that draws our attention and adoration away from God.
- What are you doing to focus on God and trust Him with all your heart? Have you allowed the cares and worries of the world to blur your vision of God? What efforts are you making to keep your feet along His track?
4. Worshipping God in Truth and in Spirit
- Worshipping God in truth and in Spirit enables us to properly acknowledge God and adore Him. We see him as He is: Majestic and Sovereign, and we see ourselves, as we are: insufficient and helpless.
- The godly person removes himself or herself from the center of his or her world and puts God in His proper place.
The reverence of God will cause us to worship God rightly. We are to approach Him with respect and reverence. Reverence of God will also regulate our conduct. If a person worships God they seek to know Him and live obediently to His principles.
5. Full of Good Works and Services to Others
- Godly people don't complain about what is happening to them. Instead, they have found the joy in doing good works and rendering profitable services to others.
- The godly individual not only gives God His due; he also serves his fellow man and gives him his due. As we invest time with God he will guide us to serve others.
2. The Pursuit of Godliness
- In the pursuit of godliness, certain qualities and attitudes are required. Some of these include:
1. Absolute and Undivided Commitment
- Without the commitment to godliness and all the disciplines necessary for a godly lifestyle, it will be difficult to attain. Philippians 3:12-14
2. A Humble Heart and Teachable Spirit
- The pursuit of godliness requires a humble heart, a teachable spirit and readiness to learn and improve.
- There is no point pursuing godliness unless we are ready to learn and make changes in our lifestyle. Titus 2:11-12
- If we are stubborn about how we are living and we are just perfectly satisfied with where we are without learning His ways, then it will be difficult for us to attain godliness.
- We have to see that changes are needed and that where we are is not good enough, and see how we can receive help through His word as we study personally and as we listen to the word preached unto us.
3. Absolute Obedience and Consistently Yielding to His Words
- We are admonished in the Scriptures not to be forgetful hearers of His words, but to be the doers as well. The more we fellowship in His words and consistently yield to the word in obedience, the better we can attain godliness. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- What can we do with the word of God so we are equipped for every good work?
i. We must hear the word of God often. It is important that we are speaking the things of God so that we can teach one another about it.
- Our Bible studies and our worship services are centered around giving God praise while we learn by teaching the word of God to each other.
ii. We need to read the word of God often. We must find the time to read the word of God if we are going to pursue godliness.
iii. We must study the word of God. Not only is the word of God profitable for our reading, but we must study it as well, asking questions as we read, trying to learn what God is communicating to us.
iv. We will begin to memorize the word of God. When we are reading and studying the word of God, we must make conscious efforts to memorize passages.
- As we put these new attitudes and behaviours into practice over a period of time we form new patterns of thinking and behaviour. It then becomes easier and easier to live a life that is pleasing to God.
- Are you disciplining yourself toward the goal of true godliness? 1 Timothy 4:10
- Are you training your soul in holiness? Are you in a determined pursuit of godliness in your own life? When we keep in mind of the ultimate goal we realize the pursuit is worthwhile.
- Our goal is the pursuit of holiness. It is nothing less than to be presented to God the Father whole and complete, perfect, in Jesus Christ.
3. The Profit of Godliness
- Thank God, there is profit in serving God. Living for God is not detrimental to a successful life. It is profitable unto all things.
- Paul said, godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is. The life that now is means right now in this present world.
- There is a life that now is, and there is a life that is to come. We should be more concerned about the life that now is than about the life that is to come. Because the life that "now is" is the life we are living right now.
There are certain profits and blessings that godliness ensures or guarantees, some of these include:
1. Godliness Ensures Divine Protection.
- We belong to God. We are so valuable to Him, He gave His Son to die for us to redeem us. We are precious to God, and He protects us. Ephesians 5:25, 28-30
- Godliness guarantees protection, for godliness is profitable unto all things. The protection that is meant for a believer because of his or her covenant relationship with God is given in Psalms 91.
2. Godliness Ensures Divine Promotion.
- Consider what God did for Joseph because Joseph stayed true to God. Yes, he was sold into captivity. Yes, he was put into prison. But God blessed him even in Egypt because of his godliness.
- Because Joseph was faithful to God, God promoted him and made him prime minister of the greatest nation of that day Genesis 41:38-41.
- As you are faithful to serve God, He will promote you. God always rewards faithfulness. But you are going to have to make the dedication and consecration to obey God. You will have to make that choice.
- Trials may come, but godliness is profitable. Just remain faithful to obey God even when the going gets hard, and sooner or later promotion day will come.
3. Godliness Ensures Divine Prosperity.
- Godliness will ensure divine prosperity, which will make the believer to enjoy an abundant supply and good success in every area of life. Psalms 1:1-2
4. Godliness Ensures Divine Preservation.
- The Bible teaches that godliness ensures divine preservation of the believer. That means God promises those who serve Him a long life on this earth and eternal life with Him. Psalm 91:14,16
4. Godliness Ensures Divine Power
- The power of God has been given to His children, but it takes godliness to ensure the sustainability and effective outflow of the power. Luke 10:18-20
- A life of sin and ungodly lifestyles will drain the Christian the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Godliness means to live for God. It is profitable in this life, and in the life to come. So be determined to live for God. You will find that as you do, your profiting will be apparent to all who observe your walk with God.
- You will be surrounded by God's protection; overtaken by God's promotion; supplied with God's prosperity; sustained by God's preservation, and strengthened by God's power.
