Godliness: A Lifelong Quest

Seeking personal devotion to God and taking on His character is a disciple’s responsibility and calling.

Simon Peter was personally selected by Jesus Christ to follow Him, becoming one of His earliest disciples. Years later, writing to scattered Church members, Peter asked a rhetorical question the context of which was the Day of the Lord when the present age ends.

This was Peter’s question: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11). How would we answer that question? This is a challenging thought on which all should ponder periodically.

Godliness, both the word and characteristic, is today much diminished in everyday use. Its essence encapsulates those who walk with and please God and are devoted to Him, reflecting godly character in their conduct.

Godliness is not simply a synonym for Christian character. It is far deeper than that, it addresses the totality of a disciple’s life, and provides the foundation upon which Christian character is built. The Greek noun from which the word is translated means “reverence, respect, piety towards God.”

A Time for Training

The New Testament records that Paul the apostle mentored Timothy, a young follower of the Christian way, encouraging him to be a good minister or servant of Jesus Christ. Paul told him: “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). By the words “exercise yourself toward godliness” Paul intended Timothy to train himself, work at it and persevere with it. Paul added that this characteristic is profitable for all things—those things of the life that now is, and those of the life which is to come.

Other English translations of the Bible have “train yourself to be godly,” a wording which highlights and encourages personal responsibility.

Notice also how Paul began his epistle to Titus, another young minister who was responsible for congregations on the island of Crete. Paul wrote, “the acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness . . .” (Titus 1:1). That those he mentored sought this vital component was uppermost in the apostle’s thinking.

Examples for Today

Continuing to address Titus, Paul encouraged him to teach that Christians must resist worldly lusts, living soberly and righteously instead, whilst they await the glorious second coming of Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-15).

Paul’s intention was to highlight the transition between two worlds or two ages, in order to stir up God’s people to live holy and godly lives, whatever the challenges. This way of living isn’t some optional extra; it is required.

Simon Peter acknowledged that he was a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ; he confirmed that God’s divine power affords disciples all that pertains to a godly life, with the result that they become partakers of the divine nature required for entrance into Christ’s Kingdom at His return (2 Peter 1:1-4).

Imagine that: God gives His children everything they need for a life that pleases Him, because they have been called by His own glory and by His grace.

A Disciple’s Pursuit

Those called by God should appreciate that it is both a privilege and a duty to pursue godliness, to train themselves for it and to practice it, becoming expert at it. We do not require special talent or equipment for this task—although, in addition to God’s divine power, His Holy Spirit, we do need personal motivation, and we will benefit from the encouragement and guidance of other followers of the Christian way.

To illustrate the foundation on which godly character is built, consider the example of Enoch, the father of Methuselah. The Bible records that in the days before the Flood he walked with God (Genesis 5:21-24). In Hebrews 11:5 we learn that he pleased God. Walking with God and pleasing God are the essence of godliness. Enoch’s life was focused on God, the One who figured uppermost in his thinking.

Godly devotion is important because it implies a personal attitude towards the Almighty that results in behavior that is pleasing to Him. Devotion is not an activity, in the sense of “doing our daily devotions.” Our devotion should encompass the fear of God, love for Him and the desire for Him, doing all to His glory and impacting all aspects of our lives (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Another way of putting that is found in Colossians 3:17. Paul advises that in everything we do, from our innermost thoughts to our external behavior, we are to do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Nothing should be excluded. It must not leave gaps, or have hidden or secret recesses or voids.

Is this a challenge? Yes! But that is the thrust of the first great commandment which, as stated in Matthew 22:37-38, is to love God with all our being: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.”