Building Christian Character Godliness

Building Christian Character Godliness Godliness defined: eusebeia, yoo-seb'-i-ah, piety; specially, the gospel scheme:--holiness. (Strong) pious, devout, respect, kindness (Webster) 1 Timothy 5:4 But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. NKJV {piety: or, kindness}

Building Christian Character Godliness Godliness is God revealed in us. Others should be able to see the influence of God living in us. Godliness is perhaps the greatest characteristic of Christianity. Godliness pulls the other traits together and we are seen as a God-like individual, influencing others for good as they see our good works and life of service for God.

Building Christian Character Godliness Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. If we were to eliminate godliness from our lives, then Christianity would cease. All of our labor and time we spent as a Christian without godliness would be wasted. There would be no example of godliness in us and we would not be perceived as godly.

Building Christian Character Godliness Godliness Is Commanded Peter commanded godliness. 2 Peter 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

Building Christian Character Godliness Godliness Is Commanded Peter commanded godliness. Paul commanded godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 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.

Building Christian Character Godliness Godliness Is Commanded Peter commanded godliness. Paul commanded godliness. Paul also points out that we are to deny ungodliness and live godly. Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. NKJV Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” NKJV

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. I John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. NKJV

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. NKJV 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. NKJV

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. Matthew 5:43-46 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (con’t)

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. Matthew 5:43-46 (con’t) 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? NKJV

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. We must strive to be like God when it comes to impartiality. 1 Peter 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

James 2:1-9 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (con’t)

James 2:1-9 (con’t) 6 But you have dishonored the poor man James 2:1-9 (con’t) 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. We must strive to be like God when it comes to impartiality. To be like God, we must have mercy. Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Luke 6:32-36 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. NKJV

Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God Building Christian Character Godliness Ways In Which We Can Strive To Be Like God We must strive to be like God in love. We must strive to be like God when it comes to impartiality. To be like God, we must have mercy. We must be like God in holiness. 1 Chronicles 16:29 Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. NKJV 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not con- forming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

Wrong Ideas About Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness Wrong Ideas About Godliness Some think that godliness is a means of gain. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Wrong Ideas About Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness Wrong Ideas About Godliness Some think that godliness is a means of gain. Some practice an outward form of godliness. 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Wrong Ideas About Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness Wrong Ideas About Godliness Some think that godliness is a means of gain. Some practice an outward form of godliness. Matthew 23:27-28 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness

The Results of Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness The Results of Godliness It ensures persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

The Results of Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness The Results of Godliness It ensures persecution. Godliness works deliverance from temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. NKJV

The Results of Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness The Results of Godliness It ensures persecution. Godliness works deliverance from temptation. 2 Peter 2:9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

The Results of Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness The Results of Godliness It ensures persecution. Godliness works deliverance from temptation. Godliness with contentment is where we have gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

The Results of Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness The Results of Godliness It ensures persecution. Godliness works deliverance from temptation. Godliness with contentment is where we have gain. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The Results of Godliness Building Christian Character Godliness The Results of Godliness It ensures persecution. Godliness works deliverance from temptation. Godliness with contentment is where we have gain. Godliness prepares us for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 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.

Building Christian Character Godliness We should pray for conditions that are even more favorable to practice godliness Conclusion 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

The godly are set apart for the Lord Building Christian Character Godliness The godly are set apart for the Lord Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him. Conclusion

Building Christian Character Godliness If we strive to be like Him here, then we will be like Him in eternity. Conclusion 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.