CENTRAL THOUGHT
It is expected that every child of God should train him/herself to be Godly.
Hymn: “When we walk with the Lord”.
TEXT: 1 TIM 4:7-8, 2 PET 1:5-8
INTRODUCTION:
To train (as a verb) means to respond to instruction and discipline for one’s good. It also implies growing up in a good and specific direction that would make somebody responsible. It equally involves focusing one’s attention on what the individual wants to learn and increasing or adding new knowledge to what the individual already knows and a constant check to access how well the individual has fared in the desired skill. Training also means to shape, or condition, or discipline, oneself to practice an ability. That is, to teach and form by practice. Though Timothy had been a co-laborer with Paul for many years, he deemed it necessary to write on the need to train himself in godliness. The main text also shows that there is no such thing as “instant godliness”. Godly character does not come at once hence we need to train for it.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To discuss what it means to be godly.
- Know how to train yourself to be godly.
- Discuss the consequences of living a godless life.
- Identify the reward of godliness.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GODLY? TITUS 2:11-12; 1 TIM 4:7
To be godly has been defined by the dictionary as godly manner, pious, devout, and righteous. Paul defined godliness in 1 Tim. 3:16 as Jesus who was manifest in flesh, justified in the spirit…and taken up in glory. So, Jesus is the essence of godliness. To be godly means to be more like our Lord Jesus Christ. The word godly is from God, it entails being like God, in character and behavior. It is a man demonstrating or living out the qualities of God for others to see. It involves being peaceful, holy, gentle, loving, patient, good, kind etc. A man is therefore godly when he lives out the character of God for others to see. It is the fear of God in a man’s heart that constrains him to be godly. In essence, it is a good and holy life that emanates from a deep reverence for God, to be like God, to exhibit the character and nature of God.
Before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, only the Jews could claim to be godly. With His coming and upon His death on the cross and resurrection, grace came. It is grace that enables man to become godly. His divine power has given us all that pertains to life and godliness. (2 Pet.1:3).
QUESTION 2A) HOW DOES ONE TRAIN ONESELF TO BE GODLY?
2 COR.3:18; JAMES 1:19-25; 1 TIM 4:12-16; 1 COR.15:33; TITUS 2:11-12; PHIL 2:12; ROM.12:2; PHIL.2:6
The starting point of training oneself to be godly is by giving one’s life to God. It is a deliberate act of acknowledging one’s sins and asking the Lord Jesus to forgive one’s sins and make one His child. It is surrendering one’s old life of sin at the altar of grace and accepting the redemption offered by Christ Jesus. From that point, the individual becomes a part of the family of God, redeemed from sin and darkness into the kingdom of the light. The believer must then renew his/her mind and not be conformed to the world any longer.
Titus 2:11-12, reminds the believer who has accepted this work of grace to say “No” to ungodliness, worldliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly life in this present age. This is done personally by the individual who must identify his/her worldly passions/weaknesses, those things that fight against his/her being godly and consciously leave them; it might entail disassociating oneself from wrong companies, books, tapes, videos etc. The place of self-control is of utmost importance. It is ability of the individual to say no to all form of ungodliness, be it the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh or pride of life. Resisting the urge to compromise one’s faith is godliness. It requires diligent effort, commitment, and discipline.
It must be known that no individual can by a personal resolution become godly. It is not of physical strength and might, but by the enablement of the Spirit of God, hence the individual who desires to be godly must pray for the infilling of the Holy Ghost. The believer must pray for divine help; the place of prayers therefore is vital for a godly life.
The word of God is a veritable tool in training a man to be godly. The more of the word of God we have in us, the more of God we become. Hence, the believer must consistently study, meditate on, and obey the word.
The Christian race is a life of faith. The believer must depend solely on God to be able to make him stand and be godly in every circumstance. The believer must watch his life and doctrine closely (1 Tim.4:16) and contend for the faith. Some doctrines have made some believers to live carelessly and become ungodly.
The fear of God is necessary for a man who despite his wealth, fame, earthly position, and achievement, will still be humble to partake in fellowship and godly activities not counting him/herself to be more highly placed.
QUESTION 2B) HOW DOES ONE KNOW IF ONE IS GODLY? GAL 5:19-21, 22-28.
Jesus talking to his disciples said by their fruit shall know them. Godliness and ungodliness have been summed up in the fruit of the Spirit and in the works of the flesh. The manifestation of any of these places the individual where he/she belongs. Gal 5:19-21 is explicit on what the works of the flesh are and listed them thus:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.
Similarly Gal 5:22-25 is explicit on the fruit of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the spirit, let us walk in the spirit”.
From the above passages, the ungodly is anyone who partakes in vices stated in Gal 5:19-21. While the godly demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit as stated above. The manifestation of any of these, clearly place an individual on the side he/she belongs.
QUESTION 3A) WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNGODLINESS?
The consequence of ungodliness is not what anyone should experience. Here on earth such an individual could reap the negative rewards of his ungodly act. Some of the consequences could include bad name, bad example to others, bringing the name of God disrepute, struggles in life, illness, diseases and affliction from ungodly lifestyle, pains and shame, and finally, eternity in hell. The class should mention others.
QUESTION 3B) WHAT ARE THE REWARDS OF GODLINESS ? 1 TIM 4:8, 2 TIM 3:12
There is no one who is godly in the Lord Jesus Christ that regrets his life. God did not promise a “bread and butter” journey in the Christian race but there is an assurance in God that even when the afflictions of the righteous are numerous, God is able to deliver him from all the afflictions Ps 34:19; 37:37.
In 2 Tim 3:12, part of the rewards of godliness is persecution. The Lord Jesus Christ, our example, suffered persecution for the gospel. Apostle Paul and other disciples that have gone ahead of us equally suffered persecution, but Jesus encouraged the believer to count it all joy.
In 1 Tim. 4:8, we are told that godliness is of great value, for all things it is profitable. One cannot be godly and lose at the end; it is a win assurance from God though the world may count it suffering because of refusal to partake in worldly pleasures; there is indeed great profit in living a godly life. The Lord Jesus told his disciples that everyone who has left parents family etc. to follow him will reap a hundred-fold here on earth and eternity with God thereafter, which is the ultimate reward of the Christian.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Living a godly life is mandatory for the believer. He/she must deliberately abstain from sin and then hunger and thirst for righteousness. It is not a one-off thing, but a daily, consistent lifestyle the believer must adopt to make heaven. Christ remains the believer’s standard and not man.
MEMORY VERSE:
1 Tim 4:7
“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GODLY.
Titus 2:11-12, 1 Tim 4:7
TUE: HOW TO TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY.
2 Cor.3:18, James 1:19-25.
WED: HOW TO TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY.
1 Tim 4:12-16, 1 Cor 15:33
THU: HOW TO TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY.
Titus 2:11-12, Phil 2:6
FRI: HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE GODLY OR UNGODLY.
Gal 5:19-21, 22-28.
SAT: THE REWARDS OF GODLINESS.
1 Tim 4:8, 2 Tim 3:12, 2 Tim 6:6.