"Godliness"

We need to be a godly people. A people who seek God's approval and walk in godly attitudes. Godliness is one of the qualities listed  in II Peter 1:5-7 that needs to be added to our faith. In fact, in the seven qualities listed, each of the qualities are built on one another. In other words, if one doesn't start dealing with "moral excellence" (NASB version) they will never arrive at knowledge of God! Virtue, moral excellence is a standard of living of right and wrong. One must look to God and hear what He speaks as is right and wrong. But down deep in the list of seven qualities to add in our lives, is this thing called 'godliness'. 

Godliness is best explained when we see how ungodliness described. "And about these also Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied,  saying, 'Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way,and of all the harsh things which the ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." (Jude 14-15) Jude speaks of Enoch prophesying about a judgment of the Lord upon the ungodly. Using this prophesy, Jude explains who the ungodly are when speaking of the church..."These are the grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage." (Jude 16)

Those that are ungodly are grumblers! The godly don't grumble! Paul reminds the brethren at Corinth that grumbling cost Israel their lives (I Cor. 10). The ungodly are fault finders! The godly bears with faults because that's what love does (I Cor. 13:7). How easy is it to find fault in another? The ungodly follow their lusts, desires! Things must go their way, how they feel and think and if it doesn't, they will express their views in ways that are less than godly. The godly seek the best for others and not themselves. But here is where it gets difficult. The ungodly speak to flatter people trying to gain an advantage. They want people to think they are spiritual while trying to gain advantage over the rest. It's ungodliness at it's height! The godly simple trust and obey.

If we are going to pursue godliness, we must move away from ungodly behavior and attitudes! Godliness must be pursued and practiced before one can get to brotherly kindness and love (II Pet. 1:7) That takes spiritual maturity to get to this depth of growing in our faith. Some never arrive. Years in the Lord does not always equate into spiritual godliness. It takes a diligence in faith to attain and starts with moral excellence! Until that is put into practice, there is no moving forward into the other qualities which is why some never reach to the depth of walking with Jesus in godliness.