17 Feb 2021
We continue to look at some pertinent points from the book “The Path of True Godliness” and we are now focusing on the second way by which the practice of true godliness shows itself (from Book 1 entitled ‘The Character of true godliness’; the book itself is divided into several books). I must qualify that some comments are my own, as I consider what was written and what are the implications for our lives in our current context.
The Second Way: One does his utmost to put the holy resolve into effect
We see this exhibited in the life of Apostle Paul when he wrote: “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him (i.e. aim to please Him)” (2 Cor. 5:9). Furthermore, Paul testified, “Herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
Surely, it is a mockery when someone insists that he has intention to live a godly life and yet at the same time does not take any trouble to live a godly life here and now. Whoever wants to be regarded as a godly person must do his utmost to demonstrate that he esteems godliness as his greatest gain.
(a) Such ones must abstain from and avoid everything that can impede them in the practice of godliness. Even worldly people will do their best to avoid anything that hinders them from reaching their desired goal. Since to the godly, godliness means the greatest gain and the most important work, they try most diligently to anticipate and to ward off every hindrance and obstacle in their path
Today, we see many believers desiring to live godly lives and yet they find it a chore to spend time with God and the Scripture; they do not take pains to avoid exposure and situations which would impede or prevent them in the pursuit of godliness. Someone rightly said that we may not be able to prevent the bird flying over your head, but you can certainly prevent it from building a nest on your head.
Paul wrote: “Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15). Notice that wisdom would include using our time in the best way and especially so when the current context and influence of the world seek to lead us into carnal living and the pursuit of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (cf 1 John 2:16-16). We need to evaluate how we use our time; what we read; what we indulge in; what we preoccupy our minds in – do we really believe that godliness is the greatest gain, not just for this life but for the life after?
(b) We must also make use of and strive after everything that can be useful in the practice of godliness. Worldly people, when they have set their minds on something, leave no stone unturned and use every means to achieve their goal. If they do not succeed with one technique, they try another. If worldly people do this now to obtain some puny thing in this world that perishes with use, should not God’s children make much more use of every means to advance in true godliness, which brings great gain and eternal satisfaction?
Sometimes, I wonder why some believers can spend hours on end to follow their “favourite korean drama” without any remorse and yet find it so hard to spare some moments to read the Bible or to read christian books which can contribute to their knowledge of God and His will. They can pursue ‘improving their careers by attending many seminars and workshops’ and yet find it difficult to spend time doing Bible study or interacting on spiritual issues. We can indeed be ‘worldly wise’ but yet be ‘spiritually foolish’!
(c) We must therefore begin to practice all this, not in our own strength, which means absolutely nothing, but in the power of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the strength of our life and by whom we can do all things. Paul exhorted us, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Take note that before we believed we were powerless and totally unable to do good, and after we believe we are not “sufficient of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God” (2 Cor. 3:5). Many an individual begin the practice of godliness and then give up in discouragement and withdraw from their work. Since he or she began in his or her own strength, he or she makes a mess of things. Our own strength means nothing in the building up of the Christian life. Unless the power of the Almighty comes upon us, we cannot build anything that will last. It reminds us that without God and His holy help we would never be able to accomplish this work.
If we truly wish to pursue true godliness and to bring it to completion, we must renounce our own strength; we must surrender ourselves entirely to the Lord Jesus Christ who is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2), that we may be strengthened through Him to hold fast our good resolutions, to put them into practice, and to bring them to full effect.
The Lord willing, we shall consider the third way by which true godliness shows itself.