Godliness refers to a life that is pleasing to God, to the Divine.
The Divine has standards characterized by a commitment to living according to divine wisdom and with reverence. It involves both an inward devotion and an outward expression of that devotion through righteous behavior.
Essentially, godliness is about being like the divine in thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions; a mighty tall order for mere humans.
Godliness involves a deep respect and awe for Divine character and guidance. It involves separation from harmfulness and dedication to Divine purposes. Living justly and uprightly, reflecting the Divine’s moral standards into the world is a part of Godliness. Demonstrating selfless love towards the Divine and others, fulfilling righteousness and justice, recognizing dependence on Divinity and adhering to divine guidance, and actively living out Divine instruction and principles are all components of Godliness.
In its essence, godliness is not just an outward appearance of adhering to a set of rules, it is a transformation of the inner self that results in a life that honors and reflects Divine character.
Stated another way, to use a parental human phrase, it is living in a way that makes the Divine proud of us.
Some Key Takeaways:
- Godliness is an inward devotion to and outward expression towards Divine principles, teaching, guidance, and living.
- It is to attempt to approach the thinking, feeling, desire and actions of the divine.
- It is to hold deep respect for Divine character and guidance. To separate our actions and attitudes from harmfulness.
- Godliness is not an outward appearance it is an internal transformation that honors and reflects Divine character into the world.
- Using a human concept, Godliness makes the Divine proud of us.
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