"Godliness, Not Reformation"

In 1 Timothy 5:1-5 Paul sets the stage for what follows concerning godliness. Paul writes that the Spirit warns that in the last days there will be a departure from the faith because men will follow after false teaching. He sums up the false doctrine this way at verses 2-3: "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, . . ."

He then makes commentary on the fact that the dietary law has been fulfilled. God gave "ever creature" for us to receive with thankfulness; "4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."

The problem he addressed was two fold. One was asceticism, which as Naves defines is, "A philosophy that leads to severe austerities in subordinating the body to the control of the moral attributes of the mind." It became extreme in stoicism, when men "[inculcated] doctrines of severe morality, self-denials, and inconvenience" (Nave). This kind of thinking lead to a bondage of life style that cried out for rebellion against true doctrine, and lead to ever increasing expressions of Pharisaical fervor.

Jesus rebuked this kind of thinking by not only His words, but also by His practice. Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Paul also rebuked it. Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. That is pretty strong language. He calls this kind of practice a "show" of wisdom, and humility, not the genuine article!

The other problem area was celibacy. Paul rebukes this doctrine in 1 Timothy 4:1-3. He calls it "lies in hypocrisy" and a teaching that grows out of a seared conscience.

Asceticism, Stoicism, and celibacy, are attempts, by the strict law keeper, to appear "godly", without being godly! So, Paul starts to make his case for true, biblical godliness at verses 6 and following.
1 Timothy 4:6-16 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

Godliness here is two fold. It is, first, a rejection of the profane and fabled,
"The foolish myths and legends of the heathen, and also the marvellous additions which Jewish rabbis had made to the OT." (Peoples N.T. Com.). And secondly, a learning and rehearsing (exercise) of words of faith and good doctrine that will nourish and build up the believer in a happy spiritual life.

Godliness is not following a rule book of "do’s" and "don’ts." It is following the teachings of the Word of God that says follow Christ. I honestly believe that if we will make a point of following biblical teaching we will get both the "do’s" and "don’ts" right! There is so much liberty in the Lord Jesus Christ. Liberty both to say "yes" and to say "no" to things.

We won’t be welcomed by the words we long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant", by never eating meat, or just eating it on a certain day of the week, nor by a life of celibacy. Nor, do I dare, will we be more holy by keeping our hair at a certain length, or being clean shaven, or by wearing of clothes that are approved for style and length. Those are the external things by which we make our judgments (see "Godliness" Oct. 11, 2005).

But before you run out and just by the most rebellious expression of wardrobe you can find, remember 1 Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft , and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry." Saul’s rebellion came because he had (verse 24) rejected the word of the Lord.

Now our lesson. I am not at all saying that these few paragraphs answer completely the issues we have argued over all the years of fundamentalism. What I am wanting you to see is that godliness is a condition of the heart. It is not found in an appearance, or a certain sound, but it may be expressed that way. Godliness is found in a heart that is expressed in obedience to the Word of God. To put the emphasis upon the appearance or the sound, is to encourage reformation. To put the emphasis upon obedience to the Word of God is to encourage godliness.

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone!