Godliness | KOINONIA ART

We frequently make the mistake of attempting to improve our society without first improving ourselves.

Most of the time, we put forth our best effort to please others while overlooking the importance of improving ourselves. Many people live and act solely to meet the demands of others. However, this is risky because it can cause a loss of self-awareness and vision.

IMPROVE YOUR SENSE OF WORTH

“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” – Luke 12:7.

Isn’t it lovely that in the preceding passage, Jesus revealed to us how much God values us more than even the animals he created? God loves you so much that he came and died for us in order for us to be saved, live, and bask in his glory. Have you ever considered how highly God regards you? He knows that without you, establishing his Kingdom on Earth will be impossible, and he even knows the number of hairs on your head. Isn’t that fantastic? Never think of yourself as a disappointment or a failure. Things may not go as planned, but remember everything works together for those who love the Lord.

So, how do you develop values that will transform your life?

Self Evaluation

‘An unexamined life is not worth living,’ said Aristotle. To live at the pinnacle of our faith, we must cultivate a culture of evaluating and accessing our paths. It holds you accountable to yourself. It is only through self-evaluation that one can identify the Christian values that are lacking in his life and resolve to cultivate them.

2. Renew your mind with the Word of God

God desires that you meditate on the scriptures day and night because when you meditate on them, you will begin to exhibit Godly values that will result in a Christ-like lifestyle. The revelation from God’s word that you have pondered is what gives you godly value.

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” Psalm 119:9.

Until believers make the word of God their priority, godly values and character will be absent amongst us. The book of James describes God’s word as a mirror which we behold in order to know who God has made us to be. When a lying Christian reads God’s word diligently, He sees that as a Saint, he isn’t supposed to lie and he adopts the value of honesty and truthfulness. When a homosexual reads God’s word and sees that homosexuality is immoral, he renounces it and adopts God’s principles of holiness.

God’s word renews our mind and our thinking. When our thinking is renewed, our actions will be renewed. And when we continue living with these renewed actions, they become habits and eventually morph into a part of our being – our character.

It is no secret that the world which we live in is full of perversion, immorality and ungodliness. It was designed by Satan to be hostile to believers. If a Saint must succeed in this world, he must be deep rooted in Christ.

Unfortunately, even in the Church, the love of Christ is waxing cold. It makes me wonder the next generation has what it takes to pioneer the move of God. The absence of foundational teachings on godliness, righteousness and faith further worsens the situation.

“The teachings of the godly ones are like pure silver, bringing words of redemption to others, but the heart of the wicked is corrupt” – Proverbs 10:20.

These times call for preachers to return to the teaching of the foundational doctrine of God’s word. We need to preach the Gospel of Christ and not some sort of motivational gospel that only breeds weak and emotional believers!

The foundation of the bold is laid through accurate knowledge of God’s will concerning how we are to live on earth.

The responsibility for the laying of this foundation does not belong to our preachers. Parents must also take responsibility of laying this foundation in the lives of their children.

We must understand that it is the responsibility of believers to set the foundations of godliness and righteous living upon which their next generation will live.

Recently, the state of California called for the introduction of teachings on the grotesque Aztec god into their school’s curriculum and even frowned at the sales of materials that condemn homosexuality.

If Christian parents do not take responsibility for the godly upbringing of their kids, Satan will do it on their behalf.

How is the foundation of the godly laid

1. The fear of the Lord:

*Image Credit: Arise Ambassadors Ministries*

“The Lord shows favour to those who fear him, to his godly lovers who wait for his tender embrace.” – Psalms 147:11 {The Passion Translation}

What this generation lacks is the fear of God. We no longer fear God. We even do things that even angels wouldn’t dare imagine.

Even in our Churches, we lack reverence of the sacredness of God’s presence. We allow comedians to flood our pulpits and bring defiling jokes on God’s altar.

The children of Eli died because they didn’t have the fear of the Lord. You can’t offer strange fire to God and expect God’s approval; what you will get is death!

We must teach our children as well as ourselves, to remain conscious of the ever abiding presence of God. Only a consciousness of God’s presence and eyes watching us will instil the reverence needed.

2. The Knowledge of His Will:

The Foundation of the Godly is bent on the knowledge of the will of God.

One of the things that Christ has blessed us with is access to the knowledge of God.

No man can live accurately if he does not know the kingdom. It is the full revelation of Christ and his kingdom that makes us perfect in our walk with Christ.

“The teachings of hypocrites can destroy you, but revelation knowledge will rescue the righteous.” – Proverbs 11:9.

God’s Will must be taught relentlessly!

3. Purity and Virtue:

The path of the Saint is a pilgrimage of holiness and godly virtues. Christianity is founded upon certain unquestionable virtues. Without the practice of these virtues, the Christian institution will collapse!

There are believers who consider themselves ‘progressive’ and do not believe in Biblical holiness and godly living. They lower their standards and conform to worldly civilizations all in the name of being ‘progressive’. The Church must be purged of these folks before they deceive other true Saints!

Genesis 18:19: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

God here spoke fondly of Abraham. He was confident that Abraham would train up his children in the path of holiness.

May we learn how to command our children and his household after the way of God!