Friday, October 12, 2012

October 13, 2012

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness" II Peter 1:5-6
 
Recently I was honored when I read what one of my people had written about me. She referred to me as a "godly man".
 
That caused me to pause and asked myself, "Am I really a godly man? What does that mean? What does she see in me that brought her to that conclusion?"
 
Peter may have the answer in II Peter 1:6 - "For this very reason add to your faith.......godliness".
 
The word used for "godliness" conveys the idea of devoted worship of God. A godly person worships well.
 
But, it is more than that. As important as it is to worship well there is more to godliness. Godliness involves a disciplined witness or worshipping God so well that others notice.
 
Worship has a vertical relationship to it - from man to God. But it also has a horizontal relationship - from man to man. If you do not worship God well it will have a negative effect on how you relate to others. When your vertical relationship is strong it improves how you care about others. Likewise, if you are not treating other people well it will hinder your devotion to God.
 
Godliness then, is being devoted in both directions - upward toward God and outward toward others. If that is what she meant by  being godly, then I am deeply humbled and greatly encouraged.
 
I want to worship God well and I want to be a good witness for Him. That is the godliness I seek.
 
"Add to your faith........GODLINESS"!