True Christianity is a practical way of life, and the resultant life of the practicing Christian is a godly life. We can, therefore, say that godliness is the essence of true faith in Jesus Christ. We could be all we want to be for Christ in the church, at home, or anywhere for that matter, but if our lives do not reflect His godly virtues, then we are anything but true Christians. This is so because true Christianity is the practice of the heavenly life here on earth; “…Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven…” Matthew 6:10. “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.
The word seek in the context of the scripture above is an active word. It could be defined as looking out for, searching for, yearning for, etc., which are all practical words. In Christianity, you practice here and now on earth the life you would forever live in heaven with God, His Son Jesus Christ and all their subject. To the extent that this aim is daily achieved in your life, the better your chances of making heaven your eternal home with God.
How can a mortal sinful man live a godly life in this sinful world? Is it even possible? Well, we shall find out as the teaching unfolds. Consider the scripture below:
“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart” Psalm 15:1-2.
From the scripture above we can make out the three essential ingredients that make up a godly life to be as follows:
1. UPRIGHTNESS OF HEART: Psalm 15:1-3
To be upright in heart is the same as being holy in your heart. Verse three mentions three vices of the defiled heart, the absence of which is sufficient proof that a person’s heart is upright. They are namely:
A. He That Backbiteth Not With His Tongue: Gossiping, backbiting, and malicious whispering are evidence of a wicked sin-defiled heart. See Matthew 12:34-37; Psalm 41:5-9; Proverbs 16:28; Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; 1 Samuel 29:6; 2 Samuel 22:22-24.
2. TRUTHFULNESS AT WHATEVER COST: Psalm 15:1,2,4.
To be truthful is to be able, at all times, to speak, agree with, or make representation of people, things, or situations the way that they actually are, with no regard to personal opinion or self-interest. Some sterling qualities of people who walk in the truth are:
A. They have no fear for or show respect to those who are evil and dishonor God by their life style. Esther 3:1-2; Matthew 10:22-31.
B. They hold their conscience bound to what is right and consistent with the truth, whether it is in their favor or not. Judges 11:30-40; Genesis 14:14-24.
3. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CONDUCT: Psalm 15:1,2,5.
To be righteous means to be consistent in doing the right things or making the right decisions. This requires a great deal of discipline and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The following are some of the attributes of righteous persons:
A. They have a good sense of justice; they are impartial and will give to everyone their dues. Proverbs 17:15; 24:24; Isaiah 5:23; Jeremiah 5:28; Ezekiel 33:12-16; 34:17,20-22; Galatians 6:7; Revelation 20:11-15.
B. They do not exploit or take advantage of anyone for their own benefit. Proverbs 14:31; 22:16; Exodus 22:21; 1 Samuel 12:1-5.
C. They are selfless and generous to all alike. Matthew 5:44-48; Genesis 18:1-8; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Acts 4:32-37; Hebrews 13:1-3.
From the foregoing, therefore, we can conclude that godliness is the consistent practice of the virtues of holiness, truth, and righteousness. And because they are action-based, a Christian cannot sit idle and attain to these virtues: a Christian must diligently seek for them.
“But thou, 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, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” 1 Timothy 6:11,12.
Jesus Christ came into this world to make it possible for sinners, as we all were/are, to receive God’s transforming grace and be born again. It is only when we believe in Him and unconditionally accept Him into our heart that He can work from within us to give us the new life – the born again life!
2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. “
We spend our time in the pursuit of so many temporal things which cannot guarantee any satisfaction beyond this temporal fleeting life that we are living, while all that time Jesus Christ is waiting for anyone who would call upon Him for the gift of eternal life, filled with all the goodness of God, both here on earth and for eternity in heaven. If this does not sound like a good deal I wonder what else will! So, are you in?
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”