1. Studies In
Christianity

2. Continuing on toward
Spiritual Maturity #5

3. The young are eager to be more mature. I Peter 2: 2
Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

4. II Peter 1: 3-4
For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

5. II Peter 1: 5-7
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

6. II Peter 1: 8-11
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

7. Step by step examining characteristics.
1. Faith Diligence
3. Moral Excellence Knowledge
5. Self-control Perseverance
7. Godliness

8. This lesson will consider godliness.
1. What it is and is not
2. How one adds godliness to his faith
3. Some short-term negative effects
4. The long-term benefit of godliness

9. I. What does it mean to
be a godly person ?

10. Just to say, “Be like God.” is an inadequate definition.
“eusebeia” also translated as “piety”
is defined as “reverence, respect,
piety towards God, holiness.”

11. Some practical definitions by theologians are :
1. Habitual doing of right things because of love for God.
2. Devotion to God that results in a life that is pleasing to
3. Holy affections for God that result in a life lived for God.
4. An inward respect and reverence for God that leads to
an outward godlikeness in conduct.

12. Godliness is a condition of one’s heart.
Matthew 22: 37
And He said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and all your mind.' 38 This is the great and foremost commandment.”
The character of one who loves God with all his heart, all his soul, and all his mind

13. godliness to our faith; how does one accomplish that ?
II. Our text instructs us to add
godliness to our faith; how
does one accomplish that ?

14. The wisdom of the Holy Spirit is evident
in the progression in which these are presented.
1. Faith
2. Diligence
3. Moral Excellence
4. Knowledge
5. Self-control
6. Perseverance
7. Godliness

15. Like faith, godliness is built upon knowledge.
Titus 1: 1
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

16. This is in no way to imply that one
Titus 1 .. “in the hope of eternal life”
II Peter 1:11 .. “for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
will be abundantly supplied to you.”
This is in no way to imply that one
can be godly enough to be saved.
Ephesians 2: 8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

17. It takes spiritual discipline to add godliness.
I Timothy 4: 7
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

18. The discipline of godliness requires a lifetime of effort.
No Pain .. No Gain
The discipline of godliness
requires a lifetime of effort.
Hebrews 5: 14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Muscle memory

19. godly lifestyle, but doing so has some short-term
III. It is important to develop a
godly lifestyle, but doing
so has some short-term
negative consequences.

20. Wicked people may be repulsed by godliness.
John 3: 19
This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

21. II Timothy 2: 10
Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

22. "Bad company corrupts good morals.”
One who will become a godly person must separate himself from evil influences.
I Corinthians 15: 33
Do not be deceived:
"Bad company corrupts good morals.”

23. Consider the long-term benefit of godliness - eternity with God
Conclusion :
Consider the long-term benefit
of godliness - eternity with God

24. Adding these to our faith assures steadfastness.
II Peter 1: 10
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

25. Be diligent to add these to your faith : moral excellence,
knowledge, self-control perseverance, godliness.

26. You cannot improve what Are you walking with God ?
does not yet exist.
Are you walking with God ?

27. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
I Corinthians 11: 26

28. May it be a season of blessing
for you and yours.