Text: 1 Tim 6:6, 1Tim 4:8
Godliness with contentment is great gain. Godliness is profitable to all things. However, as precious as it is, it only delivers on the basis of personal engagement. Godliness cannot be ascribed to a group: it is always individualistic. No one is gifted to be holy. We decide to be Holy out of our own choice. Until we make the choice of godliness. When a man wakes up to say, God I choose to be holy today and always, it is a choice.
Many of the time, people are religious and not godly. Religion is man’s search for God but Christianity is God Those that stood on the part of Holiness always trump at the end. Joseph could have utilized the chance to sleep with Mrs. Portipher when she made advances at him but he refused.
Daniel also purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat. One thing that is common with these individuals is that they were foreigners. Despite this seemingly disadvantages status, they refused to compromise their Holiness unto the Lord.
People who made choice for Godliness are always distinguished in life. Godliness is a choice and not a gift. 1 Corth 6:20, says we have been bought with a price, so we should glorify our God with our body and spirit which are God’s. Matt 5:48, 1 Peter 1:16.
We are humans but we have the spirit of God inside of us. If Jesus says, be ye perfect, then it means that attaining perfect.
Benefits of Godliness
1. It empowers us for exploits through divine wisdom. Wisdom makes us to excel in all areas of our lives and endeavour and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. You cannot have wisdom if you have no fear for the Lord for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It is not about your career, it is the hand of God over your career/business. Whatsoever he doeth, he shall prosper Ps 23:3-5, Pro 9:10, Job 28:28
2. The revelation of the truth can only be accessed on the platform of Godliness. We can never know God beyond how much we fear him for the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him – Ps 25:14. Why won’t you cheat on your wife or revenge the evil done unto you in the office. It is because of your reverence for God. You need knowledge to reign for by knowledge, kings reign! Only the Redeemed have access to the mystery of the Lord. What differentiates you as a believer from others is the covenant you are operating. It pays to be godly because God will always reveals secrets to you and lead you on the path you should go at every stage.
Sin is very forceful just as the same way the Spirit of God moves a man to do things he would naturally not do, sin can move a man to do things contrary to the will of God. – Pro 7:21. Imagine how Delilah was upon Samson and until he he could not longer bear the pressure. It is compelling and coarsive, it keeps pulling you. No wonder the wife of Portipher could come so low as to drag Joseph into having an affair with her. But thank God for the fear of God that was in Joseph. 16:6.
How do I break free from sin?
1. Engage the power of the tongue – Pro 18:21. What you do not confront, you cannot conquer.
2. You must confront the man of sin. Each one of us will choose the outcomes of our lives. Godliness is a choice.
Shalom!