How to Live a Godly Life in an Ungodly World

        Would you like to live a godly life in our ungodly world? There is a price to be paid in order to do it. 

        To begin an empowered spiritual life, learn what it means. What are the guidelines for such a lifestyle? To know them “ Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2: 15). 

        The core of my Bible study involved 20 hours a week for 25 years and I was still learning. Not everyone can engage in that regimen, but that gives an idea of how big the ocean in which you are fishing is. Establish a time and place to which you routinely retreat to study God’s word.

        Years ago Rosalee Mills Appleby on the same night she arrived in Brazil as a missionary her only son was born and her husband died. Years later she gave me a book inscribed, “One can’t expect to count for much for God who isn’t long and alone with Him.” Basic!

        Expect to be in the minority. Christians are outnumbered in our culture, but even if you are a member of a community most of which are Christians not all are going to think alike. Expect to be out numbered. Don’t let that diminish your zeal. You are accountable to an audience of one, the Lord.

        Expect criticism. Don’t let it be the meter by which you show devotion.

        Expect conflict. When there are two worlds, the Christian and non-Christian, there inevitably will be conflict. Don’t seek conflict. Neither run from it. Be bold about what you believe, but never belligerent. Now the good part.

        Expect the need of compassionship. Fellowship with people of like desire. You can each prop the other up.

        Expect God to keep His word and act accordingly. He said He would never leave you. Even if you feel like He has, He hasn’t.

        Expect God to always be present with you. It is a given, He is there.

        Expect God to empower you, not immune you. Don’t expect God to immune you from problems or exempt you from heartbreak. He won’t do either. But He will empower and enable you to deal with difficulty.

        Now a distillation of what it means to live a godly life. It may not be popular—but it’s possible. Not only is it possible to live a godly life, but also God expects it from us. There is great motivation for us to live a godly life.  It means to have a love for the things of God and to walk in the ways of God.

        Having read “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5: 24). The pastor asked what it meant. One little child replied: God and Enoch went for a walk every day. One time late in the day God said, “We are closer to my house than yours. Just come on and go home with me.” Living a godly life will take you closer to God’s house. That is the result of living a godly life.