Godliness is more valuable than all other values in this world combined. Gratefully, God gives us four ways to pursue it. Firstly, we have hope, because godliness is possible. God has given you everything you need to be godly. Your heart will try to drive you into believing you don't have everything you need. That is an insult to God and His provision for you. Secondly, godliness requires you to discharge responsibilities. You need to train yourself. God enables you to work. But you do the work. God doesn't do the work for you. You may see a godly person and want to be like them, but are you willing to commit yourself to the means of dependence and discipline that God has given you? Have you written a contract of commitment to God? The third means of becoming godly is personal training. Just as you don't become muscular in your first session at the gymn, so also you don't become godly on your first day or in your first month. In both cases, you have to train yourself in order to grow. Small daily disciplines will take you a long way in life. So much of your growth in godliness will be determined by establishing daily habits. Choose one habit and start. Fourthly, you will need a practical plan in order to become a godly person. What will you do? When? How? Here are four categories of change your plan must include: (1) Fighting against specific sins, (2) deliberately pursuing God, (3) start building biblical friendships, and (4) commit to functioning for the benefit of others in the life of the church. Remember, none of these truths will do you any good until you have a plan and begin to work on it deliberately, consistently, and persistently. |
