Day 17 - The Godly Way of Life

When we say that someone is living a worldly life, we mean that they are following worldly ways, manners and fashions - in the same way that people living in the world do. Similarly, when we comment that someone is living a godly life, we mean that he lives in godly ways, or in the same way that God does. Many of us would find it hard, but it is quite possible for us to live a life like that; in fact, it is the only rightly Christian way of life. A life like that is demanded of us in the Scriptures,

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." (Titus 2:11,12)

God's dear children are told to be "imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Eph 5:1,2)

So to be a follower of Jesus means living or acting like him; we should walk even as he walked. Our way of living should be his: when he was reviled, he did not attempt to return the offence. Although he was treated extremely badly by his enemies, he did not look to even the score. When insulted, he simply did not reply. When a guard, trying to capture him, had his ear cut off he healed his attacker's wound out of his compassion for him.

This is the true spirit of godliness: living a godly life is living like that. When Christians are vilified, they bless; persecuted, they suffer calmly, quietly and patiently.

The Apostle rightly boasted "that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace. (2 Col 1:12)

A godly life is free of pomposity; everything is said and done in the purest simplicity and the truest sincerity that is a gift from God. There are no impure motives, satisfaction with vain glory or self elevation, because everything comes out of that same godly sincerity.

Growing daily more like this is a function of intertwining. The gardener shapes and prunes and intertwines the leading shoots of a Clematis so that it forms a luxurious and colourful latticework. Any soul intertwined with the gentle and gracious life of Jesus will shape and grow a character of quiet piety and sincere godliness. The daily life should be intertwined with the life of Jesus.

Like pruning the wandering side stems of Clematis, there must be no reaching out for anything outside Christ; there must be a constant training or intertwining of the soul with him through reading the Scriptures, in prayer, and in deep thought or heart-communion with him.

Being aware of a growing up into Christ, feeling the soul intertwining more and more with the life of God, this is fullness of joy and perfect happiness.