Add To Your Faith - L7

“Living Godly In Christ Jesus”

Introduction - We are moving down the divinely inspired list found in the book of 2 Peter in the 1st chapter.

We are now dealing with the final three areas that are mentioned in this chapter that we are to “…add to our faith…”

The last in the list, you will notice in verse 7 is charity.

The Word of God tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:13 “13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

It seems that the Holy Spirit is leading us to the highest place in the Christian life and that is love.

Remember the Words of the Savior as He summed up all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:37–40 “37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

These final three areas are of very great importance.

Let’s begin read together from verses 3-7.

2 Peter 1:3–7 “3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”

Let’s Pray

The word ‘godliness’ means God-likeness. Of course, we understand that there are many attributes of God that are peculiar to God Himself.

We are not speaking tonight about us being omniscience, omnipresent, or omnipotent.

The word ‘godliness’ is defined as holiness. The term ‘holy’ is found 611 times in the Scriptures.

Forty times we are told that God is holy.

Further we find in Hebrews 12:14 that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.

The Bible says, “14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

The Word of God tells us that when we are saved we are a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Before Christ, we are conformed to the World. But after Salvation God is working in us conform us to image of His Son.

Romans 8:28— is a verse we often quote in trying circumstances that we do not understand.

And by quoting that verse, we are simply reminding ourselves that though we may not understand everything about what is taking place, we know this—- that God’s place is for our good. And we take heart in knowing that.

But notice what the Bible says in the next few verses.

Romans 8:28–30 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

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I. Pattern Of Godliness

There are four things about God that a Christian should follow after, however godliness is mentioned the most.

Consider the following:

A. Forgiveness - Ephesians 4:32 “32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

B. Mercy - Luke 6:36 “36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

C. Perfect (Complete) - Matthew 5:48 “48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

D. Holy (Godliness) - 1 Peter 1:16 “16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

II. Presentation Of Godliness

Just like many areas in the Christian life, there are counterfeits for godliness.

We are not interested in a form of religion, but rather we are interested in living in vibrant fellowship with the Lord following our salvation.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 tells us, “1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Having a form of godliness will only last for a limited time. This outward appearance is conformity, rather than being transformed.

Conformity gives an outward appearance, without no inward change.

The more time someone spends with the Lord, the more we will be conformed to the image of Christ.

Many have said, “Nearness is likeness.”

Illustration - A chameleon is known for having the ability to blend in with its surroundings and look like whatever is near. Unfortunately, some Christians appear to be godly when they are in the right surroundings, but if the truuth be revealed, they are far from godly.

III. People Of Godliness

A. Are Prayerful

Psalm 32:6 “6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.”

B. Are Persecuted

2 Timothy 3:12 “12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

C. Are Provided For

2 Peter 2:9 “9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

D. Are Peculiar

Psalm 4:3 “3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto him.”

E. Are Precious Few

Psalm 12:1 “1 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; For the faithful fail from among the children of men.”

IV. Profit Of Godliness

A. Exercise Godliness

B. Follow Godliness

C. Live Godliness

Conclusion