Isaiah 66:2b This is the LORD’s declaration. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word”.
‘Godliness’ is not a Christian cliché – “Godliness is the nature of Christ in us”. Godliness does not bud, blossom and bear fruits in a week. It takes years of soaking in God’s presence to smell like Him. Coco-De-Mer tree takes from 20 to 40 years to start flowering. Its fruit is the largest fruit on earth that weighs 15-30 kgs and costs about US$300. The seeds take almost 2 years to germinate! Similarly Godliness is the costliest fruit that grows over a long period of time by surrender and submission to God’s will and His ways. “For Godliness is not the consequence of your capacity to imitate God, but the consequence of His capacity to reproduce Himself in you” – Ian Thomas. Godliness is not our goodness, but God’s Graciousness that manifests Christlikeness in us.
Godliness can be condensed as “humility, gratitude and reverence to God’s Word”.
– Humility is not saying “yes” to everyone and everything but saying “no” politely and modestly. C. S. Lewis, the legendary Irish Scholar, novelist and author has given one of the best definitions for humility. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less”. Humility is the constant acknowledgement of the need of God.
– A contrite spirit is the hub and home of gratitude. A conscious awareness of the slump of sin that God has rescued us, will keep us non-judgemental, forbearing and non-prejudicial towards others. King David confessed throughout his life, He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm (Psalm 40:2).
– Godliness uses God’s Word as the final mandate. The brave trio boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who revered God’s Word were willing to walk into the fiery furnace rather than bowing down to an idol.
Godliness is nothing to be boasted about. It is the evidence that Christ is procreating Himself in us.
Endeavour “Godliness”:
1. Aroma: Godliness produces the sweet aroma of Christ in us. Uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14). Those who come close to us must smell the aroma of God, hear the voice of Christ and feel the comforting touch of the Holy Spirit. Godliness spreads the aroma of Christ.
2. Attraction: Godliness attracts a Godly glow around us. Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth and after steeping in God’s presence, his face shone with Godly radiance. Godliness is the Glory of God that attracts the broken, bound and bitter towards the love of God. Godliness turns worldliness to holiness.
- Awareness: Godliness brings the awareness of God even in a secular realm. Our colleagues must apologize for swearing in our presence as it brings the reverential fear of Jesus in them. Godliness preaches the Gospel to the world, and if necessary use words. Godliness emanates the reverential fear of God.
Pursue Godliness.
1 Timothy 4:8 Godliness is of value in every way.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, procreate your nature in me. I clothe myself with meekness, gratitude and submit to tremble at your Word. Amen.
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