Friday, April 19

As we wrap up our week on godliness, let's take a moment to think about this passage:

⁶ If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.⁷ But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. ⁸ 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)

There are a couple of things to notice about godliness in this passage.  First, it takes rejecting profane and old wives' fables.  That means we need to be always comparing what we are learning and seeing around us to what God says in His word - not how we feel or what we want.  Women are created as emotional beings and our emotions, even though they are valuable when used correctly - can lead us the wrong way.  We saw this with Eve.  We must learn to think with our heads, not our hearts.

This can be especially difficult sometimes.  That's where the second part comes in.  We are to exercise ourselves to godliness.  If you have ever been on a regular exercise program you know a couple of things.  It is hard when you first start.  It makes you sore.  And tired.  But if you continue it becomes easier.  If it is a really good program, it will always make you a little sore and tired, but you come to enjoy not only the activity but even the soreness as you realize this means you are making progress.  So it is with godliness.  It is hard at first.  It may not even feel right.  Eve couldn't bring herself to say, "No, Mr. Snake, I don't believe you.  Your argument is convincing and I want to do what you are suggesting, but I choose to trust God anyway."  As we continue along in our "exercise program" adding godliness will become easier and will bring joy because it is profitable and has a promise of a good life now and in the life to come.  In time we will begin to see that our life, even now, is so much better and easier than those who choose to follow Mr. Snake.  

There will be times when we find an area that needs some work - a new muscle to exercise - and it will be hard again at first.  But it's worth it!  And you will probably find that all the previous "exercise" will make it easier to improve in this new area, too.  

Your assignment for today:
1.  Take a few minutes to do a brief word search on "godliness" in the New Testament.  Comment on anything that stands out to you.