Text: 1 Tim 4:12
Introduction
It is important and helpful to consider the social context when this charge was demanded of believers. The scene is set in the later times. It is a time of apostacy when ungodliness would have reached its peak. It is a time when people will devote themselves to be deceived because they are being taught by demons. There shall arise false teachers whose hearts have been seared and are no longer sensitive or open to the Spirit of God. There will be a heightened sense of spirituality; such that is denying of marriage and common food, as though they are carnal, however, these do not show in them any godly transformation1. The world will be upside down.
If anyone thinks it is a long way off, such should seek a second touch of the hand of God to have his eyes opened. The world is already upside down! The import of what we are saying is, now is the time to respond to this charge. It is time to show that Godliness is still possible and is profitable.
A. Is Godliness possible?
Godliness is possible only if we are prepared for one thing:
- To suffer and be persecuted– 1 Pet 2:21; 4:1; 2 Tim 3:12. The world we are in is designed in opposition to Christ. There will be no time that the world will become friendly or become agreeable with Christ. Christ died for sin and the world is laden, and corrupted by sin. A believer in the world will not be applauded for opposing its ways. People of the world will not congratulate you for standing against it by living a godly life. Therefore, you will be denied your rights and privileges. A believer must be prepared for this to happen in his life. It is not strange or something to pray against. If we suffer for doing what is right according to the will of God; if as we seek to please God we suffer, then it is right and pleasing in God’s sight.
Persecution imposes sufferings through various deprivations in order to assimilate as a prior motive to exterminate the believer if he refuses to submit. We have a cloud of witnesses of people who have endured sufferings and persecution yet maintained Godliness. The Church in Symrna as well as the Philadelphia were tried and suffered. Why? They held fast to the Word of truth. That is Godliness. The Scriptures exhorted that we should endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ and that we have not resisted onto shedding of blood in our warfare against sin and through much tribulations we shall enter into the Kingdom. The Lord Himself set an example of one who did no sin yet suffered without threatening His persecutors.
B. Is Godliness profitable?
Godliness is profitable in every way:
- It is profitable in this life– The fruit of the Spirit are essentially Godly virtues. The Bible says of them, ‘…against these there is no law’ Gal 5:23. Meaning that, no law court can judicially condemn any of these virtues. No one can condemn an act of love if it is understood as such. In addition, the fruit of righteousness is peace, which is wholeness of soul and of the body. Many of the sinful things that are done are against the body and the peace of mind, which develop into bodily ailments that medical science cannot diagnose or treat. Many have died of cancer, ulcer, high BP etc because of sinful habits and hurts they carried in their souls. A godly man is preserved and lives a quiet, healthy, and long life as the Lord enables him.
- It is profitable for life hereafter– It is certain according to Scriptures, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor 6:9-10.
Brethren, to be an example for believers, our lives must be centered on Godliness. We must exercise ourselves in Godliness as Timothy was encouraged to do. We must press in it even if we are the only ones. It is possible many believers have been swayed and have drifted into ungodliness, but we must show the way by the light of Godliness.
This is our call and charge today. You can be an example of the believer in Godliness. It should not be assumed that everyone will do what is right and beneficial. We should not assume that every Christian will exert Godly influence in the community. But each one must make up his or her mind to be the Godly one- the positive influence, no, the transforming influence as salt and light. May the Lord bless you and work in you to this end that you may be the examples of the believer.
Amen