Bible Study - What Matters Most - The Practice of Godliness - 1 Timothy 4 and Titus - February 17, 2013

Bible Study – What Matters Most – The Practice of Godliness – February 17, 2013


This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “What Matters Most.”

Our scripture is 1Timothy 4:7-10 and Titus 3:1-9.

The practice of Godliness can raise a caution flag. Godliness must be a way of life. The term “practicing” bothers me because people can play the game of being a Christian. The Christian jargon can be repeated and we can act Christian but we have not given our hearts and lives to JESUS. Being a Christian is all about the heart and truth. Let’s explore.

Let’s read 1Timothy 4:7-10:

7 But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, 8 for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.

Paul cautions Timothy not to entertain irreverent and silly myths. Often, we joke around with irreverent and silly things. We know they are false and silly but there are several dangers when we do. One is that what we say as a Christian and do is a witness to others. We may know something is false but others may not. Others may know that we are Christians and because we appear to embrace something irreverent or silly it misleads them. The other danger is that by dabbling in irreverent or silly myths, gives Satan and his demons an opportunity to oppress and mislead you as a Christian. Christians cannot be possessed by Satan but they can be oppressed.

Paul stated what Christians were to do. They are to train in Godliness. The word “train” in Greek is where the word gymnasium is derived. How do you train in Godliness? First, we must make a decision that this is something we want to do, just as we decide to work out and become more physically fit. Then we agree to make the time necessary to do the training that is necessary to achieve our desired goal. Our goal is Godliness. The Greek word “train” carries the idea “to keep on training.” It is a commitment to train until we meet JESUS in heaven. Training in Godliness is a lifetime commitment. We exercise by studying the scriptures, praying and building an intimate, honest relationship with CHRIST and yielding our lives to HIM and allowing the Holy Spirit to be our coach. We put what we learn into action as the Holy Spirit leads us. It is easy for humans to become self-righteous when they focus on their ability to become more God-like. That is why we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. GOD’S goal for all of HIS children is for them to be made into the image of HIS only Son, JESUS.

At the instant we receive CHRIST as our Savior, our sins are placed upon JESUS and we are cleansed to perfection by HIS shed blood and made righteous. So aren’t we Godly? Salvation is the beginning of our journey of faith. Salvation is the beginning process of sanctification or to Sainthood. We are still housed in our earth suits/bodies of flesh that connect us to this world. Since we know the truth, we are to build relationships with others and share this truth as we interact with fellow humans.

How is this helpful even for eternity? GOD honors faithfulness and obedience. What better and more exciting words could we hear when we meet JESUS and GOD in heaven and hear than “Well done good and faithful servant!”

Placing your trust in GOD builds Spiritual security as HE reveals HIS power and handiwork as you walk with HIM.

Now this is something for you to ponder. This is what ran through my mind when I was pondering the value of Godliness in relation to eternity. The scriptural basis is 2 Corinthians 5:1-9:

Our Future after Death (My inserts)

1 For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling (body) is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling (body) in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring to put on our dwelling (body) from heaven, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we •walk by faith, not by sight, 8 and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.

The thought that ran through my mind was, as we train for Godliness, GOD is completing the building (Spiritual clothing) for us when we arrive in heaven. Only HE knows what we are capable of becoming if we yield our lives completely to HIM and fully follow the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. A Christian’s salvation is secure. This is only the perfecting of our Spiritual dwelling which will glorify our LORD. GOD is fashioning this dwelling for every Christian and it will fit perfectly because of the designer. Remember when Adam and Eve sinned and GOD made them clothes to wear because they were naked? Genesis 3:21 - The Lord God made clothing out of skins for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them. GOD is fashioning a Spiritual body for Christians that will be custom made by GOD. Who is your tailor the world or GOD? How about that!!!

Verse 10 can raise some questions. Was Paul saying that everyone would be Saved? I think, he was saying that GOD does not withhold salvation from anyone. GOD’S desire is for all people to receive salvation. But salvation comes by faith in JESUS CHRIST. Those who have received salvation through CHRIST are secure because they have been born-again into GOD’S family.

Our next scripture is taken from Titus. Titus was a pastor on the island of Crete. Paul and Titus had traveled to Crete after Paul was released from prison in Rome the first time. Paul left Titus in Crete. Paul wrote his letter to Titus asking him to continue in ministry. Paul encouraged him and reminded him of his responsibility as a pastor.

Let’s read Titus 3:1-8a:

Christian Living among Outsiders

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us— not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that having been •justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy.

Paul urged Titus and the Christians in Crete to be law-abiding citizens. Fighting the government is a diversion from focusing on ministry and presenting the Gospel. Being in harmony with the government gives Christians the opportunity to spread the Good News. This is not harmony at any price.

Paul stated that Christians must consider their lifestyle:

- Slander no one by treating them with contempt or using abusive language.

- Avoid fighting. They were to be harmonious.

- Be kind.

- Show gentleness to all people.

Christians who manifest these attributes reveal that they are filled with and controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Christians are not to ram the Gospel down people’s throats or to treat those who reject the Gospel with contempt. Paul urged Christians to recall their own attitude toward the Gospel before they became a Christian. Christians know the truth now but before receiving CHRIST as their Savior, they thought Christianity was foolish. Paul gives a list of seven (7) specific attributes about our life before we became Christians. Paul included himself in this list in verse 3 when he stated:

- “For we too were once foolish”

- Disobedient

- Deceived

- Enslaved by various passions and pleasures

- Living in malice and envy

- Hateful

- Detesting one another

When we saw the truth of the Gospel of CHRIST and asked CHRIST to forgive us for our sins and to come into our lives, HE saved us. Our salvation did not come by works of righteousness that we had done but according to HIS mercy. Mercy and grace go together. Grace is GOD’S unmerited favor and so is mercy. HE gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit Who enlightens us to Spiritual matters, reveals truth, teaches us truth and empowers us to apply truth.

Salvation leads a born-again Christian to desire the works of obedience as led and guided by the Holy Spirit. The born-again Christian has the confirming presence of the Holy Spirit in his/her life and the assurance of eternal life.

Look at verse 6 – GOD has poured out the Holy Spirit on us “abundantly” through JESUS CHRIST our Savior!!! Christians have been set free from the shackles and bondage of sin and death and been justified by GOD’S grace!!! Paul wanted Titus to focus on these things, which is the Good News of the Gospel, because what he had stated could be trusted and counted upon. It is fact and not based upon myths or fiction.

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life? If not, now is the time. Eternity is but one heartbeat away.

Let’s read Titus 3:8b-9:

I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

Paul urged Titus to concentrate on urging Christians to put their faith in CHRIST into action. Christians are not members of the secret service; they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Paul knew that obedient service, as led by the Holy Spirit, would mean that they would be receiving heavenly rewards.

Paul urged Titus to stay away from foolish debates because they are unproductive. He wanted Titus to stay focused upon presenting the Gospel of CHRIST, which is salvation that results in works of obedience and to avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels and disputes about the law. Paul wanted Titus not to get tangled up in trying to get Jewish Christians to understand the Mosaic Law and its relationship to Christianity.

JESUS came to earth not to do away with the law but to fulfill the law and to nail it to the cross. Salvation is not in the law but through faith in JESUS CHRIST and HIS righteousness. CHRIST gave HIS life to pay in full the penalty for sin. HIS shed blood atoned for the sins of those who will accept HIM by faith. When we receive salvation, we are justified before GOD. What does that mean? Just-as-if-I-had-never-sinned!!! How can that be? Second Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Christians have been justified and made righteous before GOD because of CHRIST. As Paul urged Timothy and all Christians, “Train yourself in Godliness.” Salvation is just the beginning of an awesome journey with GOD. Our part is to yield our will to HIM and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our lives. Oh, our train may jump the track but GOD will help us get back on the track as we obediently serve HIM. Do not despair, JESUS came that you might have life more abundantly! Blessings!