Life and Godliness

"Add to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;" 2 Peter 1:6

Ref: 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Pt. 1:3; 1Jn 3:18; 2 Tm. 1:6; Rv. 3:20; 1Tm. 2:2; 1 Tm.2:10; 1 Tm. 4:7; 2Tm.3:5;

The Apostle Peter tells you, through the inspiration, of the Holy Spirit that you have been given everything you will need for life (eternal) and godliness. How do you have what you need? Through the Word or knowledge of Jesus. You have accepted this as true and have been willing to give this new relationship a chance.

All the while you, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have been:
• reading the directions,(scripture)
• keeping watch on the starter faith;
• stirring up the gift that was placed within you,(faith)
• bringing to your memory the promises of the Friend who first brought you the bread of life

If you have added these “things” - these ingredients listed below then you are starting to grow.

• virtue (goodness, fairness, willingness to take responsibility)
• knowledge (of the scripture and the understanding to apply it in life)
• temperance ( not going too far in any one direction, keeping yourself in subjection or under control)
• patience ( to stand daily with a cheerful, hopefulness looking for Christ soon return, realizing that your life is a testimony of what Christ is like to those you work AND live with)

Depending on how far along in this recipe of Friendship you are, and how much you are willing to put into it yourself, something should be happening in your life. Have you seen it yet? Have others?

Virtue will change the way you look at your role as a Christian within the church and outside daily in the world.

Knowledge and understanding will change the way you will make decisions in your life, giving you discernment.

Temperance will show that you need to continually strive to be consistent in your relationships at home, in church and in the community, as well as be merciful and forgiving to those around you- just as Christ, your new friend is forgiving and merciful toward some of your behavior.

Patience will give you the ability to meet every day with peace and the knowledge of the promise that God is within you (in the person of the Holy Spirit) and will soon return for you(Christ himself).

The reason I have reviewed the ingredients is because the next ingredient is godliness. What exactly is godliness? It includes all of the things you have been studying; and hopefully applying to your life – plus adoring The One who is making this possible. Godliness is not just any one thing alone.

Where can you find true godliness? It will be a result of applying all these ingredients to your life hour by hour, day by day.

Godliness prays for your government and those in authority. Why? So that you will be able to worship the Lord openly and honestly before men.

Godliness helps you to know how to dress, and how to act as is proper for a child of the King of Kings.

Godliness helps you to be able not just to leave that old lifestyle you had, but to refuse to return to it, no matter what happens.

Instead of being caught up in man’s way of worship, godliness keeps you in the Word so you will know the truth that will set you free. It is essential to begin adding this ingredient before you can be skilled in adding the last two that Peter gives.

Don’t be fooled by imitations: There are some who have the “form of godliness” (they look good on the outside) but they deny the power of godliness. Be sure you have the pure ingredient that can only come through the knowledge of Him who called you.