Trust the Process - Part 3
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2 Peter 1:6–7 (NKJV)
6 (add) to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
Please take a look at the chart of the back of your notes.
We have been following this process - called Progressive Sanctification - which is the continual change process by which we grow from being immature believers to living as mature believers.
So far, we have covered the Foundation (Faith, Virtue, and Knowledge), followed by the Hard Work section in the middle, made up of Self-Control and Perseverance.
(make sure you go back and watch those lessons if you missed them)
Today, we will study that last section, labeled “The Payoff!”:
Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love
These last three elements are the results of the Christian that has laid a solid foundation and then put in the hard work.
This is the mountain top that we all want in our lives…TRANSFORMATION!
We want to be more godly, more affectionate, and more loving…but we often lack those things because we have not been willing to implement the first things first.
1. Godliness
1. Godliness
2 Peter 1:6 (NKJV)
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
Godliness: Habitually responding in Christ-like character.
Godliness then is living the way Christ would live.
In the original Greek understanding, this word meant “to worship well”
It describes a person that is living in right relationship with God
We could also use “reverence” or “piety”
When a Christian has learned to live out their faith in God, chooses to live according to the virtues of God, hungers after the knowledge of God, learns to give control to the Spirit of God and perseveres by clinging to God, he or she will begin to develop the habits of godliness.
Godliness is a distinctive character - it sets the believer apart from the world - it makes us different.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV 1900)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Coach Peter has already directed us to be thinking about godliness up in verse three.
2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
Peter has also stated that we somehow partake of God’s nature:
2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV)
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
We cannot become God…but we can become LIKE God in many ways
Some of God’s attributes are for Him alone:
Incommunicable Attributes: ex: Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Self-Existence
Communicable Attributes: ex: Knowledge, Wisdom, Holiness
Omnipresence, Omniscience, and Self-Existence for example are classified as “incommunicable attributes”.
But we can imitate God’s character…we can live according to His values…we can become students of His Word which will transform our minds to become like Christ.
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Holiness are all examples of “communicable attributes”
The fruit of the Spirit is an excellent example of God’s attributes being a part of our lives.
We need to think about what godliness is NOT so that we have an awareness of “false godliness”.
[read 2 tim 3:1-4]
2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV)
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
It is important to observe that these are religious people!
They have a form of godliness, but it isn’t authentic godliness…they deny its power
μόρφωσις morphōsis 2× pr. a shaping, moulding; in NT external form, appearance
You might be familiar with “metamorphasis” - which means a transformation…but this word “morphosis” is not a transformation…it is only an outward form…it’s only skin deep.
This Greek word is used only twice in the NT - Here and in Romans 2:20
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
[This passage is talking about hypocrites…they teach one thing but they do the opposite]
So these types of people might sound good at first..might even have some Bible knowledge and are able to “talk the talk”…but a closer examination of their lives will show that they are only loving themselves…they are not “walking the walk”.
So we need to be careful and watch out for false godliness in other’s lives…and we need to watch out for it creeping into our lives.
In the New Testament, the book that uses the word “godliness” or “godly” the most times is 1 Timothy (10x), so that will be our outline for studying this word, godliness.
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
Edification: to build up another person
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
This word for godliness is slightly different than all the other times in 1 Timothy.
Whereas all the other times the Greek word means piety or devotion to God, this word translated godliness means to worship God.
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
4. is personified in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16)
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
Many believe that this paragraph was part of a hymn sung by the early church believers.
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
4. is personified in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16)
5. takes exercise (1 Tim. 4:7)
7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
4. is personified in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16)
5. takes exercise (1 Tim. 4:7)
6. is profitable for all things, both in time and in eternity (1 Tim. 4:8)
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
4. is personified in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16)
5. takes exercise (1 Tim. 4:7)
6. is profitable for all things, both in time and in eternity (1 Tim. 4:8)
7. is to be the standard by which teachers are to be measured (1 Tim. 6:3-4)
1 Timothy 6:3–4 (NKJV)
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
4. is personified in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16)
5. takes exercise (1 Tim. 4:7)
6. is profitable for all things, both in time and in eternity (1 Tim. 4:8)
7. is to be the standard by which teachers are to be measured (1 Tim. 6:3)
8. is not to be seen as a means of monetary gain (1 Tim. 6:5)
5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
It is not “goldliness”…it is GODliness!
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
4. is personified in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16)
5. takes exercise (1 Tim. 4:7)
6. is profitable for all things, both in time and in eternity (1 Tim. 4:8)
7. is to be the standard by which teachers are to be measured (1 Tim. 6:3)
8. is not to be seen as a means of monetary gain (1 Tim. 6:5)
9. combined with contentment brings great gain (1 Tim. 6:6)
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Godliness:
1. is the edification of others (1 Tim. 1:4)
2. is to prayed for (1 Tim. 2:2)
3. leads to modesty (1 Tim. 2:10)
4. is personified in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16)
5. takes exercise (1 Tim. 4:7)
6. is profitable for all things, both in time and in eternity (1 Tim. 4:8)
7. is to be the standard by which teachers are to be measured (1 Tim. 6:3)
8. is not to be seen as a means of monetary gain (1 Tim. 6:5)
9. combined with contentment brings great gain (1 Tim. 6:6)
10. is to be pursued by the people of God (1 Tim. 6:11)
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
The more we continue to establish that foundation and do the hard work required, the more consistent we will be in reflecting God’s character.
The idea of being more consistent is a key concept to grasp.
Remember that we are not sinless in this life…we are going to struggle to obey God at times.
But the maturing Christian begins to experience more consistent Christ-like character responses to the pressures of life…and less sinful responses.
2. Brotherly Kindness
2. Brotherly Kindness
The first 6 qualities relate to a Christian’s inner life and his relationship to God, but these last 2 are about how we relate to others.
2 Peter 1:7a (NKJV)
7 to godliness brotherly kindness...
φιλαδελφία philadelphia: brotherly love
Our english word “love” is very nuanced in the Greek language.
The Bible uses various words that are all translated “love” in English.
This word has a completely platonic meaning…it is literally the love that a person has for their siblings or family.
Brotherly Kindness: acting toward others as Christ would; kindly, tenderhearted, forgiving.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
For the believer, this word describes the love that we are to have for one another…our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Of course, this stems out of godliness…the more godly we are, the more brotherly kindness we will display.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Let brotherly love continue.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
Scripture is clear: brotherly love is a key part of the mature Christian’s life.
This is a FERVENT care for others.
Brotherly kindness is so IMPORTANT to God!
John uses brotherly kindness as a test of whether we love God or not:
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
Some have tried to use this verse as a proof of salvation…but how can a person have a brother in Christ if they were not a believer?
John is saying that our love for God is directly tied to our love for others.
In other words, we cannot love God if we are not loving other believers.
If we have allowed a root of bitterness to grow into our hearts towards another believer, at that point we have stopped loving God.
I hear this statement used a lot by Christians when they are talking about another Christian that is sinning in some way:
“Well, they love Lord but...._________”
If our vertical relationship is healthy, our horizontal relationships will also be healthy…at least the part that we are responsible for.
Remember, godliness is right before brotherly love…and that’s on purpose!
So, as we keep our vertical relationship with God healthy through Progressive Sanctification, it will flow out horizontally in ALL DIRECTIONS into the lives of everyone we come into contact with.
Keep in mind that B.L. is a result of the previous 6 qualities…as we remain resolute on our foundation and put in the hard work, we become more godly, which leads to more consistent brotherly kindness.
Next week, we will study the last step on this Progressive Sanctification process: LOVE!
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!
3. Love
3. Love