QUALITIES OF A CHRISTIAN SERIES A Study of Second Peter 1:5-9 GODLINESS Lesson Six of Eight
INTRODUCTION:
Godliness is often viewed as being "devoted to God." while this is true, it carries a much deeper and more defined meaning.
We often speak of being "Godly." What does it mean?
If there is a quality that we need to develop, we need to know what it is.
WORD DEFINITION.
Godliness - EUSKBEIA - from EU - well, and SEBOMAI - to be devout, denotes that
piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well pleasing to Him.
The Greek background of the word is used to describe the idea of honoring some
god through rituals and acts performed in a pagan temple.
Example: Acts 17:23
USES IN THE N.T.
I Timothy
2:2 - doing something that honors and pleases God.
3:16 - being consistent with God's way.
4:7,8 - not arranging your life in man's way.
6:3,5,6 - teaching that which honors God.
II Timothy
3:5 - (1-5) - something that "looks" like God's way.
Titus
1:1 - truth that leads one to God's way.
II Peter
1:3,6,7 - living God's way in order to be partakers of His Divine nature.
3:11 - the direction of life toward God.
Acts 17:23 - worship
CONCLUSION:
It speaks of our attitude toward God.
Not: Not of the sinner who shakes his fist toward heaven and says, "I will do things my way."
Not: Not of one like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14 who bragged to God of his righteous life.
It is: One like Isaiah (Isa. 6) who saw God in His greatness and Holiness and altered
his life and attitude accordingly.