The Value of Godliness

(1 Timothy 4:7-8 – The Value of Godliness)

The message of this scripture today speaks volumes about the value of godliness.

Godliness is one of the key goals of the Christian walk. There are numerous scriptures that point to the need for godliness if we are to live with Jesus and the Father into eternity.

So let us look at the value of godliness beginning with seeking an understanding of what godliness is all about.

The value of physical well-being versus the value of godliness

Before going any further, let us look at the scripture under review.

7 Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Taking the information provided in this scripture we see that the value of godliness far exceeds the value of bodily training.

In this world there is a proliferation of products and services designed to improve physical health and well-being. There are gyms and sports designed to strengthen bodies, there are dietary programs and food systems to reduce and keep weight down, and there are many training sessions that are supposed to improve resilience and mental strength. These are multi-billion dollar industries.

People are willing to spend literally billions of dollars in the pursuit of physical excellence. But there is even more.

There are doctrines in the church that promote physical well-being. The doctrine of Divine Health suggests that if we have sufficient faith, we should not get ill. And if you do get ill, then there is a problem with your faith. It is a false doctrine focused on physical health above spiritual health, and spiritual health is the truth of the value of godliness.

But Jesus put no importance on the flesh or the body as we see in these scriptures:

3 For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)

It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:63)

But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

It is in this last scripture that we see the folly of the world, and sadly the foolishness of many in the Church who believe that it is the things of this life; the things of the flesh, that are important. It is the things of the Spirit that are of the most importance. When we understand the truth of the Gospel and the New Covenant, we realise that the message of the Gospel is about the spirit of man, not the flesh

What is The Value of Godliness?

The scripture in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 tells us quite clearly that the value of godliness is that it holds promise for this present life, and for the life to come. It promises a better life now and holds the promise of eternity without death, sickness, disease, ageing, or any form of evil.

The people of the world and many in the church are prepared to spend billions and sacrifice incredible amounts of time and energy to gain fitness, strength, health and well-being. But what value is all of that if you still grow old and die? Where is the real gain? You can’t take your financial wealth with you and no matter how hard anyone tries, they still age and suffer the diseases of the old as well as the degeneration of the body.

Paul indicated that bodily training is of some value, and that is true. When your body is in peak condition, or at least functioning well, life is certainly more pleasant. Your ability to do things and to throw off sickness can be enhanced, and that is always a good thing. But it is not lasting and it will not lead to eternal life.

But godliness offers hope. Godliness is the means by which we can draw near to God to receive His blessings, both now and in the future. The value of godliness is that it carries us forward with insight, understanding and wisdom.

What is Godliness and How do you get it?

So, if we are to pursue the value of godliness, we need to know what it is and how to get it.

When we look into the Greek word translated as “Godliness,” we are given several other possible meanings.

It could be rendered also as “piety” or “holiness.” But if we look at the word “godliness” itself it gives us the best clue of all. You could extrapolate the word to be “god-like-ness.” That is, to be like God.

This is not to be considered as an egotistical, megalomaniac attitude with a God complex. What it does mean is to be like God in the same sense that Christ is like God.

Christ came to this earth to bring the New Covenant into being and to preach the gospel of salvation. But He also came to be an example and to show us the very nature of God. In fact one of the names given to Christ is “Emmanuel” which literally means, “God with us.”

So in Christ Jesus we have the perfect example of godliness in human form. And using those other definitions we see in Christ the holiness of God in human form.

The aim of the gospel is to bring us to the same place where Christ stood in God. We are to be holy as God is holy, and when we are there we shall be walking in godliness.

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

And as for how to become holy, there is a work we need to do, but it is even more due to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in us. We need to receive the Holy Spirit given as a gift from God to train and teach us so that we can have the victory over the flesh that leads to sinfulness, unholiness, and ungodliness. The following scripture gives us some insights into what we need to do.

22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:22-32)

And;

1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Walking in the Spirit to find the value of Godliness

The end point for all Christians is to be transformed into the image of God, which is achieved through the work of the Spirit. We must learn to walk in the Spirit to gain the victory over the flesh because we cannot do it ourselves. Man cannot cleanse his own mind and heart from the ways of sin. Only God is capable of that, and He gave His son that we could enter into His grace to be set free from sin and the law. Then He gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him for the Spirit so that they can conquer the passions, lusts and desires of the flesh.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. (Galatians 5:16-26)

And;

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you once walked, when you lived in them. 8 But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:1-10)

And again;

12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh– 13 for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:12-14)

This is how we walk in the Spirit. We set our minds on the things of the Spirit as we are told in the first verses of Romans chapter 8, and so reject the ways of the flesh. And when we do that, the Spirit gives us the victory over the passions of the flesh as they rise up in us, dampening them down so that we do not fall into sinfulness, but we can walk in godliness.

So, a final warning that Paul gave to Timothy, which we should consider and take on board as we seek the value of godliness.

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will eat its way like gangrene. (2 Timothy 2:15-17)

This is the final key. Read and study the Bible, which is the word of truth, so that you can rightly handle it to grow in godliness in Jesus Christ. Stay away from ungodly controversies and godless talk that promotes speculation, division, and leads people to go down the wrong paths. Also beware of false doctrine and test everything so that you find and hold fast to the truth.

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