Spiritual Growth – Part Four

“….Grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” II Peter 3:8

        “….add to your perseverance….” 

Godliness is the highest of standards. Develop traits typical of Him.

Godliness is being God like in character.

There is a price to pay to be godly. You have to expect and respond positively to the standard of the world. Set your face like a flint resolving to stand fast. 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12: 1, 2)

The value of bodily exercise is well known. The contrast with spiritual exercise showing the comparative value is noted: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (I Timothy 4: 8)

Cicadas proliferate in certain areas. They come out every seven years and  leave a lifeless shell they had shed. It was just an empty form of the living creature that had once been there. The slightest pressure on that empty form would cause it to crumble. That is a graphic of “a form of godliness.” It bears some resemblance to the real thing. But there’s no life in it. Some people faithfully go through a form of religion that bears resemblance to the real thing; but in reality is dead and lifeless?

Individuals spend much time accumulating material goods which are temporary. The eternal value of godliness is beyond compare. “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness….” (II Peter 3: 11)