Gleanings for October 31

GODLINESS / PIETY

I Peter 2: 4b – 6 Amplified Bible: “Because we are sharers (partakers) of the Divine Nature, for this reason, adding your diligence (to the divine promises) employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in exercising virtue develop knowledge (intelligence).

“And in exercising knowledge, develop self-control, and in exercising self-control develop steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in exercising steadfastness (patience) develop GODLINESS, (piety).”

As we continue to look at virtues that will help us to grow stronger in our faith and in our character, it seemed a good thing to give the Amplified Bible Translation for our printed scripture today.

According to the Nelson Bible Dictionary, Piety is: “Usually defined as religious devotion and reverence to God. In the only use of the word piety (in the NKJV of scripture) it means faithfulness in performing one’s responsibility to the family, especially to parents.”

The New Ungers adds this: “Let them put their religion into practice.”

It is interesting to me to find the definition directed as much toward “people” as it is toward “God”. Since this is done in that way, it really emphasizes the importance of “relationships”. We have found it to be true that we demonstrate our love for God in the way we treat other people.

Each of the Bible dictionaries I quoted from make a point that “godliness” is “more than religious profession and a godly conduct; it also means the reality and power of a vital union with God.” As this is lived out in a person’s life, the result will be: “blessedness for the present life and also for the life to come.”

First Timothy 4: 8 says this: “Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

I Timothy 6: 6: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” A footnote in my Bible adds this: “Godliness is synonymous with true Christianity, and true Christianity should be enough to satisfy us.”

To sum up godliness/piety—“it denotes character and conduct determined by the principle of love or fear of God in the heart.” That is a quotation from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

I trust you received some new thoughts about what it means to be “godly”—I know that I did. As we continue to study and learn more about how we can develop a “godly character” we will also be sure to experience:

The JOY OF THE LORD (and this JOY will be) YOUR STRENGTH!!!