The Correct Approach to Godliness

Introduction:

When we get sick, we want to get the right medicine to help us feel better. We go to the doctor and he prescribes the proper medication to treat the symptoms of our sickness. The Apostle Paul has forcefully pointed out the sickness of particular false teaching that Timothy is to address in Ephesus. In this next section the scripture will provide the proper way to counter this false teaching.

Unfortunately, what can happen is case study in extremes. If you had a small cut on your arm, you wanted listen to a doctor who said that your arm needed to be removed. We see this in today’s time as many reject teachings on personal holiness. Some may read Paul’s words in verses 4 and 5 and incorrectly conclude that all spiritual discipline is bad. They go to the extreme in their doctrine and commit error. I dare say that in today’s American Christian church we are suffering from a lack of personal holiness.

To be clear on the issue, the bible gives us the correct approach to godliness in contrast to the legalistic asceticism of the false teachers.

The theme of godliness is a constant in the Pastoral Epistles. Fifteen times “godliness” occurs in the New Testament - 13 of them in the Pastoral letters. Nine times in 1 Timothy alone. Godliness is not some false piety but an active obedience that flows from awe-struck and reverent worship of God.

To be clear on the issue, the bible gives us the correct approach to godliness in contrast to the legalistic asceticism of the false teachers.

In order to be well physically, you have to have a plan - getting physically fit does not happen by accident or on auto-pilot. Neither does godliness. What do we need to remember in order to approach growing in godliness the correct way?

I. Proper Diet - The Word of God

“nourished by the words of the faith...”

What are these things? They are the false teachings - the

Essential to healthy living is a healthy diet - so it is in the Christian life. We must give attention to the words of the faith - and the good teaching - for us this is found in the bible. For the believers in Ephesus, this was the Apostolic teaching of the faith. How can we keep a healthy diet?

A. Reject Junk Food

The junk food described here by the scripture is “irreverent and silly myths.”

There is teaching that just needs to be rejected and avoided - Paul mentions this in the previous verses concerning legalism and asceticism.

B. Eat a Balanced Diet

Proper teaching involves the whole counsel of God. Again, our tendency is to lean heavily in one direction or another. Balance often eludes us. I have known Christians who had whose diet was inadequate - heavily loaded with Old Testament law, or New Testament Grace or only concerned with consuming prophecies in the Apocalyptic books like Revelation.

C. Marinate in the Gospel

I am always concerned when I listen to a person talk about their faith or doctrine and never mention Jesus. Remember, He is the Word made flesh - He is the master interpreter of all of scripture.

Important to note that these instructions are given to church leaders and to a leader in particular Timothy. Pastors must feed their flocks a balanced diet of the whole counsel of God and saturate themselves and the people they lead in the gospel.

In essence, a steady and balanced diet of the bible is essential if we are to become healthy and godly men and women.

Verse 6 is an excellent reminder for spiritual leaders. Timothy was clearly instructed to be on guard against false teaching and to put before the people a healthy diet of sound doctrine. The fundamentals of the faith must be guarded and protected. Therefore, spiritual leaders must not become so consumed with other tasks to the detriment of their personal spiritual growth.

“Much Christian teaching involves reminding ourselves and others of beliefs and practices we know but ignore or forget. Paul commended Timothy’s obedience and implied that he was to continue more of the same.” (Thomas Lea, New American Commentary)

Much Christian teaching involves reminding ourselves and others of beliefs and practices we know but ignore or forget. Paul commended Timothy’s obedience and implied that he was to continue more of the same.

II. Pursue Godliness Intentionally

Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 134.II. Pursue Godliness Intentionally

You will not stumble into holiness or godliness. You do not just wake up one morning and are able to run a marathon. You must discipline and train your body.

II. Proper Exercise - Pursuing God

“Every day is important for us because it is a day ordained by God. If we are bored with life there is something wrong with our concept of God and His involvement in our daily lives. Even the most dull and tedious days of our lives are ordained by God and ought to be used by us to glorify Him.” - Jerry Bridges

A. The Disciplines of the Faith

A. The Disciplines of the Faith

Contrasted against the asceticism and legalism Paul denounces in the prior verses, true Spiritual discipline is not an end but a means to a fuller and deeper relationship with God. Legalism is man centered. Spiritual discipline is God-centered.

The greek word for train is gymnazo. The word “gymnastics” is derived from this Greek word. The sense of the word in the Greek means to develop behavior by consistent instruction and practice.

What are some of these disciplines? What kind of training must we be engaged in?

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The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (1) Facing Falsehood (4:6–10)

Paul urged Timothy to concentrate his energy on vigorous training for genuine godliness. For Paul genuine godliness involved both right belief and obedient action. Godly habits would not appear without determined human purpose and effort. Timothy was to persist in that Christian discipline which would prepare him for God’s highest purposes.

Paul urged Timothy to concentrate his energy on vigorous training for genuine godliness. For Paul genuine godliness involved both right belief and obedient action. Godly habits would not appear without determined human purpose and effort. Timothy was to persist in that Christian discipline which would prepare him for God’s highest purposes.” (Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 134.

“Paul urged Timothy to concentrate his energy on vigorous training for genuine godliness. For Paul genuine godliness involved both right belief and obedient action. Godly habits would not appear without determined human purpose and effort. Timothy was to persist in that Christian discipline which would prepare him for God’s highest purposes.” (Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 134.)

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“Paul urged Timothy to concentrate his energy on vigorous training for genuine godliness. For Paul genuine godliness involved both right belief and obedient action. Godly habits would not appear without determined human purpose and effort. Timothy was to persist in that Christian discipline which would prepare him for God’s highest purposes.” (Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 134.)

What are some of these disciplines? What kind of training must we be engaged in?

B. The Limited Nature of Physical Exercise

Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 134.

Paul contrasts the worth of physical training with spiritual training, or training in godliness. The bible states that physical training is limited, while godliness is beneficial in every way. You aren’t going to take this physical body to heaven. In fact, the body will eventually perish no matter how fit it may be. This is not to degrade physical exercise or being healthy, for we should treat our temples wisely, but it is simply to point out that the most beneficial is spiritual training in godliness. This is important. Many parents today are consumed with the athletic or intellectual achievements of their children, but fail to give attention to their greatest need.

C. The Unlimited Benefit of Spiritual Discipline

Training ourselves in godliness benefits every area of our lives. It changes our attitudes. The Christian worldview and life permeates every aspect of our lives when we train ourselves in the faith. We view ourselves appropriately. We look at others and our relationships thru the correct lens. How we handle our business, work, parenting, responsibilities as citizens and financially.

Conclusion:

Legalism and rules are always an easy way to distort grace and give ourselves some credit.

Legalisms and rules are always an easy way to distort grace and give ourselves some credit.

The goal of all of this is to remember that in all things we are to be grounded in Christ. Only when people love and know Christ can they truly be fulfilled. We need to teach our children to know and love Jesus. It won’t matter how well they can hit a baseball or shoot a basketball if they don’t know Christ. When we pursue Him we will not be disappointed. It takes a proper diet and proper exercise.

• Believers are called to have a training strategy for developing godliness in their lives.

• Man-made opinions and “godless myths and old wives’ tales” can distract us from the truths of the faith if we are not well-rooted in Scripture.

The goal of all of this is to remember that in all things we are to be grounded in Christ. Only when people love and know Christ can they truly be fulfilled. We need to teach our children to know and love Jesus. It won’t matter how well they can hit a baseball or shoot a basketball if they don’t know Christ. When we pursue Him we will not be disappointed. It takes a proper diet and proper exercise.

“Too often, we say we are defeated by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated. We are simply disobedient. It might be good if we stop using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather, we should use the terms obedience and disobedience. When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may in fact be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey. We need to brace ourselves up and to realize that we are responsible for thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We need to reckon on the fact that we died to sin's reign, that it no longer has any dominion over us, that God has united us with the risen Christ in all His power and has given us the Holy Spirit to work in us. Only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate God's provisions will we make any progress in our pursuit of holiness.” - Jerry Bridges

1. In what ways will good spiritual training help you avoid deviant doctrines? Which is harder for you to maintain—spiritual or physical training? Why?

We need to brace ourselves up and to realize that we are responsible for thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We need to reckon on the fact that we died to sin's reign, that it no longer has any dominion over us, that God has united us with the risen Christ in all His power and has given us the Holy Spirit to work in us. Only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate God's provisions will we make any progress in our pursuit of holiness.” 1. In what ways will good spiritual training help you avoid deviant doctrines? Which is harder for you to maintain—spiritual or physical training? Why?

1. In what ways will good spiritual training help you avoid deviant doctrines? Which is harder for you to maintain—spiritual or physical training? Why?

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