Godliness? Yes, Godliness!

But you O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

Beautiful command Paul gives Timothy here in this verse. But, I at one point asked myself, why was righteousness first and then godliness? It seemed to me that when Paul spoke of godliness, this would include righteousness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Godliness to me would seem like the ultimate virtue to attain.

However, I have found Godliness to be much more than Christian character or appearing devout. Paul tells us that the grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness and all worldly lusts and 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. Titus 2:12-13

So if godliness is more than Christian character, then what exactly is it? Godliness I feel is the basis and foundational truth on which we build our life. Godliness is not just something we just start living; it’s what we learn as a Christian, one baby step at a time.

It begins with accepting Jesus Christ and wanting to be like Him. It is us beginning to love God and desire Him in every part of life. It’s a reverent fear of God – learning what and how to worship Him daily. It is praying, and reading through the Holy Scriptures we have been given.

Godliness is learning to say no to those things sometimes the world calls okay. It is looking only at what God calls truth and not what the world and its pleasures call okay and acceptable. It is the realization that loving the people around us is more important than what makes us feel good.

It takes standing up for righteousness to begin our quest for a life of godliness. It is including God and His truths in every part and corner of our lives. Yes, we begin small, but oh the joy of living a life of godliness!