Godliness Not Godlessness

2 Peter 1:5,6 (NKJV)
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness

Godliness is the next godly character that Peter encourages us to add to our faith. It may seem odd that he has waited so long in this chain to emphasize godliness. But, we start as an infant in faith. Virtue or purity is a sign that our faith is real. Adding knowledge shows that we have a deep thirst for God. But we need self-control and perseverance to advance and grow in our faith. Now is the time for God to establish reverence and a deep awe of God. Living godly does not come haphazardly, we must have a fully sold out desire for God, willing to be broken and used for God’s service in whatever way that He desires most.

The word that Peter uses for godliness is a word that implies deep reverence for God and committed devotion. We need an awed respect for who God is, an undying commitment to be like Christ and a desire to fulfill His will in every way possible. Paul tells Timothy to put most of His efforts into developing godliness. He says, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things”, (I Timothy 4:8a, NKJV). Even though the exercise of our physical body has some profit, it is the development of godliness and our spiritual development upon which we need to concentrate.

We not only need to put our efforts into developing godliness, but we also need to be content with it. Paul says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain”, (I Timothy 6:6, NKJV). We need a comfort zone that is only satisfied with righteousness and holiness all in the fear of God.

A true godly example is when others see the Lord Jesus, when they look at us. When others leave our presence, they need to know that we have been with the Lord. A true sense of godliness is shown by seeing the purity and love of the Lord Jesus through us. This does not mean that we do not show who we are and display the personality that God has given us. We need to show Christ, not apart from self, but apart from selfishness.

Thoughts, comments, objections, prayer request.



Daniel A. Smith