Godliness (8-15-11)

1 Timothy 4:7-8 - "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

A major theme throughout the book of First Timothy is godliness. In this verse Paul tells Timothy to discipline himself for the purpose of godliness because it's profitable both now, and eternally. God wants us to be satisfied with Him. He doesn't want us pursuing the things of the world, the perishable things, but He wants us to use the time He has given us here on earth to grow closer to Him and as a result become more and more like Him. In chapter 6 verses 6-11 it says - "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness." There it is again. God wants us to pursue the eternal. Everything physical, everything visible is one day going to be destroyed.
He tells us to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness. He tells us to pursue godliness. He tells us that godliness is great gain. And I agree with all that, but I have to say that godliness is not easy. It doesn't come naturally. And apart from God working in us both to will and also to do (Philippians 2:13), it is impossible. But Christ is at work in us and, 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness."

2 Peter 3:10-11 - "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells."
How much of what I spend my time on is going to be burned up when this world is destroyed? As believers living in the last days, we need to be spending time in Gods word and in prayer. We need to be disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness.

1 Timothy 4:15 - "Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all."