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 "Godliness"
is sometimes incorrectly explained as "God-like-ness"
or having the quality of God. The word, eusebeia,
does denote an affinity for Go an things of God; but Moulton and
Milligan, Alford, and other Greek philologists note that the
word was common among the Greeks, and that it denoted "an
operative, cultive piety rather than of inherent
character." That means it is a characteristic subject to
cultivation, or is produced, rather than inherent. Vine says,
"that piety which, characterized by a God-ward attitude, does
that which is well-pleasing to Him." (emph., rft.)
Put
simply, a "godly" person wants to please God,
and he does that which God has revealed as His will for
man. The results is "godliness."
Living
"godly" in this present world (Titus 2:11-f) puts one
in the role of pilgrim, "looking for a city" and doing
all things "as unto the Lord." Aware of past sins and
of present imperfections, the godly man confesses his constant
need for the Savior, his High Priest and his offering for the
remission of sins. Such an attitude and manner of life is called
"walking in the light" (1 Jn. 1:7).
We
are fully aware that this "fellowship with God" would
be impossible but for Christ and His sacrifice of Himself for
us, hence it is a wholly unmerited blessing. But the
"godly" individual is not created so against his will,
nor apart from his effort. The "God" standard is
eternal, the "means" by which godliness is attained
was in God's eternal purpose, and in the fullness of time was
perfected; but the individual must hear,
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believe and obey the
voice of God to be "godly" or have
"godliness."
Vine
says, "In 1 Tim. 6:3 'the doctrine which is according to
godliness' signifies that which is consistent with godliness, in
contrast to false teachings; in Tit. 1:1 'the truth which is
according to godliness' is that which is productive of godliness
...etc." A godly person doesn't just happen to be
that way, nor is he particularly elected, called or blessed. He
puts his trust in Jesus Christ, and works hard to "deny
ungodliness and worldly lusts." He uses the means God
universally provided to cultivate and produce the result.
The
godly man is acutely aware that godliness is not a static
condition attained, but is a movement, a manner of life. An
"honest man" may stumble at some point, but his
conscience stabs him and he makes correction. He is not content
to keep quiet and reap the ill-gotten gain. Nor will a godly man
condone a way that is contrary to the way of God. He may sin —
he will sin — but his very character cries out in protest, and
he makes correction. His inner guidance system is "locked
on" to the way of God and he wants to keep it that way.
Can
a godly man become ungodly? Oh yes! (2 Pet. 2:1, 4, 20-22) But
the remedy for fear is love, perfected by abiding in God. To
this end the godly man studies his Bible, prays, meets with
fellow saints for worship, and works to save others. He has
little time to worry about temporal matters, for heaven and
eternity are in view.
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