Moving right along, I mentioned in Part 4 some practical ways we can continually live Godly lives. Let us take a look at some more biblical ways on how we can live Godly lives in whatever society we might find ourselves in. This is worth repeating, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV). We have been set apart; not to maintain the status quo, not to conform to the norms of society, but to change the world around us and to give it an experience of God’s loving grace and mercy, hence the scripture says “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Read Matthew 5:14. Have you noticed, light never conforms to its environment; it changes it, wow.
We were meant to shine, we were never meant to be hidden in some lowly place, scared of what people would think about us, oh no, a million times no. On the contrary, we are to shout it out loud from the roof top “I am the light of the world.” In other words, people would see our lives and marvel at the work of creation and glorify God. In continuing to live Godly lives, scripture gives us other insight and wisdom.
- Take the time to think, bible calls it meditation. Meditation helps you implant and root God’s word into the consciousness of your being. Here what the scripture says in Philippians 4:8 (AMP) “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].” So sometimes, you might just have to switch off from the news of the world, and embrace real news – what has God said, not fake news or what the so called analysts are postulating.
- Fasting. Is a spiritual discipline encouraged by Jesus, taught in the bible, and ought to be embraced by His followers. Jesus said, the Father rewards us as we fast for the right reasons. Read Matthew 6:16-18. We fast so that we give ourselves extra time to seek God and to hear His voice more clearly. Hear what happened with the Church in Antioch: “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Read Acts 13:2-3. Let me put it this way, fasting = clarity of hearing.
- Obedience is key to continually living a Godly life. Anything not done in faith and obedience to God’s word is sin, and sin makes you a coward. Why did you say this Ricky? God abhors sin, He could not even look at His own Son Jesus when He went to the cross, because the sins of the whole world was put on Him, and that caused a disconnect, hence Jesus said in Matthew 27:46 “…My God, My God, why have you abandoned me.” Recall the scripture says “seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (NKJV). Seeking is an action word, and any true seeker of God should consider his ways, and act the word of God out in their lives, that is where the true testimony is; that we live out what we seek or preach.
Yes, it absolutely pays to be Godly. Living Godly lives is not in our own ability, but remember, “for it is God who works in you, to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose.” Read Philippians 2:13. We serve at the pleasure of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the creator of the heavens and the universe, it is truly an awesome privilege and a joy to be called “sons of God.”
We write You read Be encouraged.
Kolumns 