Godliness is mentioned a few times in the New Testament. And to think of it, we must conclude that the Holy Scriptures are about godliness. The Bible is a “God-book.” Godliness means being entirely devoted to God; living a disciplined God-centered, morally upright lifestyle in total obedience and conformity to His Word. Therefore, there can be no substitute for godliness and it is not an option. Otherwise, what’s the point of being saved?
We have heard it said that so-and-so is a “godly person,” or a “real godly person.” That is a wonderful compliment for any Christian. It means that person’s godly walk or living matches his or her talk. Godliness requires an ongoing, consistent desire for God to be preeminent in my life. Godliness originates from our innermost being. And it is motivated by our willingness and desire to live a holy life.
The apostle Paul writes to Titus, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13). Because of salvation we can “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.” Although for some this is not “politically correct.” Well, so what! it is either we are going to please God or please the world around us. Christians have to make that choice.
We see from the Scriptures that godliness is foundational to Christian faith and living. As Paul points out, godliness means living a life that denies evil and ungodliness in any form and practices good for the time present. And also sees in the return of our Lord the incentive for godly conduct; “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
There appears to be a connection with the Titus scripture and what Paul is saying in 1 Timothy 3:16 “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). This gives the “impression” of a beautiful doxology, which is a short hymn of praise to Almighty God.
God became man in the flesh in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. “True Godliness was manifest in the flesh for the first time when the Savior was born as a Babe in Bethlehem’s manger” (William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 2090). Jesus is our greatest example of what true godliness is all about. Godliness is interconnected to our eternal salvation. Jesus was God manifested in the flesh and justified in the Spirit.
As God miraculously made the way of deliverance through the Red Sea for the children of Israel, they worshipfully thanked God for their deliverance and said in part, “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders” (Exodus 15:11). This highlights just some of God’s great attributes whereby we can recognize the awesomeness and holiness of God Almighty.
A person must first be “born again” by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior at which time the Holy Spirits “resides” in that individual because the Christian’s body is a “Temple of the Holy Spirit.” This is where and when godly living begins. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). The Holy Spirit gives spiritual guidance, counsel, and revelation of the divine will and purposes of God in the life of each believer.
With godliness comes contentment. Of course this is not the contentment the world has to offer. The Bible says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Greed and corruption in America today defies all odds. As a result, many have been incarcerated, We are exhorted fo “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Have faith in God.
A godly person trusts and believes God, taking Him at His word, and claiming His promises. What God says, He will do. And what He promises, He will fulfill, “for all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20). To all who believe, to all who obey, God keeps His word forever.