“Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?” The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.”
Psalms 12:1-8 NLT Finding godly people is like mining for gems, there is a lot of dirt to sift through. Not everyone who goes to church and claims to be a “Christian” is godly. Are you godly? The question clamors for an answer. There are plenty of religious people in the world, but few godly. To be godly, one must not just simply profess to know the Lord, but seek to put into practice what they profess with their mouths. Simple association to the church doesn’t equate godliness. Godliness requires devotion and discipline. Everybody wants to go to heaven but few actually want to live like they are citizens there. We profess to be citizens of heaven but our words and actions are in stark contrast to the characteristics and culture of our professed homeland. We have allowed the characteristics and culture of the sinful world we live in to acclimate us to its ways. We have a large number of people who attend church but don’t understand that their lives are to be lived in a manner that is consistent with the Jesus they profess to know. None of us are just like Jesus but we are supposed to strive to display His characteristics as the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to do so. A life truly in love with Jesus will be lived in a manner that demonstrates that relationship. Godliness means to live devoutly, piously, reverently, God fearing, holy, saintly. I’m not talking about being a religious Pharisee and self righteous. I’m talking about a life that is different than the sinful culture around us, a life that mirrors Jesus. Our world could certainly use some godly people. Our homes need godly fathers and mothers. Our churches need godly pastors and members. Our government needs godly statesmen. Our businesses need godly owners and godly employees. Imagine living in a society that seeks to honor Christ. Sure, we have a lot of churches, but what we need are godly people. Isn’t that what the church is supposed to be producing? Once again, I ask, are you godly?? Prayer for today: Father, in Jesus name, forgive me of my sins. Help me see the things in my life that aren’t pleasing to You. I repent of them now. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me live a life that is, indeed, godly
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March 2020
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