“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, GODLINESS; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7
SPIRITUAL MATURITY – GODLINESS….A STORY FROM MY LIFE
When I envision godliness, I think of words like: religious, saintly, righteous, and good. And when I think of a person who has modeled these Godly characteristics, I think of Treva, my Sunday school teacher. She made going to church fun! She believed in the truth of His written word and, through crafts and felt boards, made bible stories come to life. Treva was a saint, no doubt! It only took teaching a week of vacation bible school to realize how demanding a group of young children can be – and she taught every Sunday for years! Her Godly example spoke volumes and guided me to accept God’s love in my heart at an early age. I realized the truth of the familiar stanza from my favorite childhood song – Yes, Jesus loves me!
But it is her goodness that resonates within me years after church school. Treva hasn’t had an active role in my life for over 40 years, yet her name still comes freely to my thoughts. She loved working with children, and her nurturing kindness and grandmother-like presence were a perfect fit for her teaching role. She had a way of making all the children feel special! I know with certaintyTreva is living with Christ in heaven, and I think she got it right during her life here on earth, too. She spent time educating children in godliness by her quiet and faithful example; “Train children to live the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Who, besides Christ, represents godliness to me? My Sunday school teacher, Treva!
FROM THE BIBLE
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2
TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS
1. Is there someone in your life that represents godliness to you? If so, talk about their Christian characteristics.
2. Re-read the verse from Romans. Discuss how living a more Godly life may go against today’s culture.
3. Let’s pay-it-forward: Is there someone in your life you can influence by your faithful example?
WHAT ABOUT ME? LET’S DIG IN!
In the bible, Peter challenges us to “make every effort to add to your faith godliness.” You’re kidding, right? I almost feel like giving up without even trying – but it was perseverance that brought me to this growth step in the first place! Like it or not, we are all called to make godliness evident in our lives, and our lack of perfection shouldn’t keep us from trying. As a Christian, it’s sobering to know that my words and actions influence others – my example may very well be what inspires others to seek Christ. I realize my role as wife, mother, and friend are to be taken seriously as I walk-the-talk according to scripture. Oh, the personal disappointment when I stumble and fall.
But just like perseverance, godliness is a process. Just as you train to run marathons, training yourself to be more Christ-like in godliness takes time, too, but “has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1st Timothy 4:8) Although, “everyone has sinned; (and) we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23), when Christ has taken root in our soul, His goodness and godliness shine outward for others to see. Let’s all strive to be more like Treva, being deliberate about setting a good example for people whose paths cross ours. Be deliberate about reading God’s word because “the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest.” (James 3:17)
MEMORY VERSE
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.” Psalm 119:30