Mortality and Divinity: Godliness

Embark on a journey through “Mortality and Divinity,” where each step uncovers the transformative power of Christian Virtues, beyond mere ideals, into the essence of a life shaped by Jesus’ love and grace. Delve into faith, hope, love, and more as we explore living as accurate reflections of God’s image. These virtues are concepts and invitations to deepen our relationship with our Creator and those around us. Together, let’s discover how these virtues weave into the fabric of our lives, guiding us to shape our communities and the world with the love of Christ.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3–11, ESV)

As we continue our exploration into the rich tapestry of Christian virtues that, when woven together with faith, shape us into reflections of our Creator and secure our passage into the eternal joy of our Lord’s kingdom, we’ve traversed through concepts like faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, and patience. We invite you to journey with us further as we delve into the essence of “godliness.”

What’s in a Word?

The term “godliness” might conjure various images or definitions, ranging from purity and devout living to a life aligned with divine will. Yet, godliness transcends mere “God-likeness.” It’s about embodying a life of reverence, devoutness, and a deep-seated respect for the divine. This is captured beautifully in the Greek word eusebeia (εὐσέβεια), which envelops the ideas of devoutness and piety, pointing us towards a life lived in awe and respect for God.

Understanding godliness can be aided by looking at its antithesis, ungodliness or asebeia (ἀσέβεια), which speaks to a life devoid of reverence for the holy. Godliness is that intrinsic quality that orients our lives towards what is sacred steering us away from the profane.

Scripture paints vivid pictures of this distinction:

• Upon realizing he was standing on holy ground, Moses removed his shoes in awe (Exodus 3:5).
• The Sabbath was a holy day for rest and reflection (Exodus 20:8).
• The Tabernacle was divided into the holy and most holy places, a spatial representation of the sacred (Exodus 26:33).

These narratives are not mere historical accounts but invitations to recognize and honor the holy in our lives:

• The Lord’s name is holy and to be spoken with reverence (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 22:32; Psalm 111:9).
• The Lord’s Day, now the first day of the week for Christians, is a sacred time for worship, communion, and giving (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
• The Lord’s supper is a sacred tradition, not to be confused with ordinary meals (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23f).

Misusing these sacred elements is a sign of ungodliness, showing disregard for God’s holiness. But godliness is more than just respecting sacred times and rituals; it’s about living a life that mirrors this reverence in every aspect:

Our approach to moral standards.Our practices around marriage and family.How we discipline and nurture our children.

Living a godly life means embracing the Word of God, not just in understanding but in action. It means embodying respect for all that is holy and orienting our lives around the divine will.

In the Scripture and life, godliness emerges as a virtue and a calling. It beckons us to live in a manner that reflects our deep reverence for God, distinguish between the holy and the common, and embody Jesus’s values and teachings. As we journey through life, let us strive to embody this sacred calling, knowing that godliness is the pathway to experiencing the fullness of God’s kingdom.

‌‌~PW 🌮🛶