"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." ( 1 Timothy 6:6)
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia -remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.” (1 Timothy 1:3-7)
Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:1-3, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
And in 1 Timothy 6:3-12 Paul tells Timothy, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Paul was clearly mentoring Timothy in the letters he wrote to him. One of the issues that Timothy was facing that Paul was mentoring him on was how to deal with false doctrine. There were some who were departing from the faith and using it to serve their own purposes. They were disputing and stirring up contention as they argued over external religious issues. Rather than pursuing godliness in their relationship with Christ, they were following godliness in form and using their religion as a means of selfish gain.
Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
Rather than allowing the gospel to change their hearts and transform their lives, learning obedience, they were making the gospel fit their lives the way that they wanted to live it. Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Paul's advice to Timothy was not to fight greed, self-centeredness and the resulting false doctrine by hitting it head on and getting in disputes or arguments with those who were stirring up contention. Rather, Paul told Timothy to have nothing to do with them. Instead, he told Timothy that the way to fight the darkness he was up against was with godliness.
“The church will rise... to shine like You” sings in the background.
The way of the kingdom of God has never been to overthrow darkness by dominating, ruling by force and demanding one's own way. This is the way of the kingdom of the world. At the time of Paul, it was the way the Romans ruled. Rather the way of the kingdom of God is more like a mustard seed or a little yeast that starts with what seems so small but then grows and transforms all it touches -bringing life and light that overtakes the darkness.
“Then Jesus asked, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” (Luke 13:18-19)
“Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.’” (Luke 13:20-21).
One article writes about the first parable, “What does this parable mean? The kingdom of God started small but ended large.... Today, it covers the whole world. The Jews and the disciples expected that the kingdom of God would come suddenly and gloriously from the beginning by overthrowing the Roman Empire and establishing the Jewish Messianic Kingdom by the political King. But Jesus said that it would grow slowly and eventually would become a place of comfort and shelter under the protective shade of the Almighty God. What a comforting and good news it is.” [1]
This article goes on to write, “The second picture of the kingdom involves another common truth: yeast that is added to the ingredients for making bread and permeates it through and through. Small portion affects the whole dough. The point is that the kingdom will eventually permeate the world. It may be small and insignificant now, but it will eventually grow and be present everywhere. The kingdom of God will penetrate to the ends of the earth covering the whole earth. The effect of the kingdom is so powerful and it will influence the whole world.” [2]
The way of the kingdom is totally opposite of that of the world. Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.” So our confidence is not in ourselves, our ways, or our wisdom, God uses what seems to be foolish by the worlds way of thinking to display His glory. [3]
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
Cory Russell writes, This passage makes it clear that God has a controversy with the values, reasoning and lifestyles of the world, which are prevalent in Western society -even in the Church. God declares empathetically, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent' (1 Corinthians 1:19). [4]
In Matthew 11:12 Jesus says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” However Jesus demonstrated what 'taking it by force' this looked like when He gave His life up crucified on a cross while onlookers mocked and spit on Him.
Corey Russell writes, “No one was following Jesus by the time His ministry came to an end; yet the apostle Paul wrote, 'Christ crucified...[is] the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Who would have ever thought that a broken, bleeding man hanging in agony between two thieves was the greatest declaration of the wisdom of God? But God was never stronger than He was at Calvary. God was never wiser than He was at Carvery.” [5]
“Hallelujah we rejoice, what a Savior what a King” sings in the background.
When He came as Messiah, everyone expected him to overthrow the Roman empire and set them free from Caesar’s rule. They were probably deeply taken back when rather than encouraging rebellion Jesus told them in Matthew 5:41, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”
Jesus refused to fight His battle in the political arena. His battle was purely spiritual. [6] As Thomas C. Oden notes, Jesus acknowledged the Roman emperor as the legitimate temporal ruler when He told them to render to Caesar what was his. [7]
The Pharisees trying to entangle Him, asked Him if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus requested them to bring Him a denarious and asked them whose image was on it. When they responded that it was Caesar's, He told them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
Thomas C. Oden also noted that Jesus refused to judge secular affairs. When asked to answer a question about inheritance, “He replied: 'Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?' (Luke 12:14).” Thomas wrote, “this was not the task to which he was anointed. He spoke king but never courted power or popularity (Newman, PPS I, pp. 297-98).” [8]
Paul says in Romans 13:7, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
Thomas C. Oden writes that Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom and not a political one. He writes, “His kingdom is not like kingdoms that are ruled by force (Augustine, CG, FC 24, pp. 63-66). This kingdom is governed by the Spirit, by self-giving love (Calvin, Inst. 2.15.3-4). The kingdom is therefore hiddenly within us and does not come by force or external observation (Luke 17:20-21). It consists of 'righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Rom. 14:17). These are the gifts conferred by his governance (Calvin, Inst. 2.14.4).” [9]
As Corey Russell notes, “Jesus told Pontious Pilot, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews [for crucifixion]; but now My kingdom is not from here' (John 18:36).” [10]
Corey Russell goes on to write, “Jesus was making it clear that His Kingdom is from another age and operates on a completely different system than that of this world. If His Kingdom had been worldly in nature, His followers would have gathered an army and defended Him. “ [11]
Jesus refused to fight on the worlds terms. When they came to arrest Him and those around Him saw it, they asked Jesus, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?' And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear” (Luke 22:49-50). Rather, Jesus told them to permit it, healed the servants ear and went with those who would arrest Him willingly (Luke 22:52-53).
Because the kingdom of God is spiritual, we are to use spiritual weapons not ones of the world. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Commentary notes, “The Christian does not use wealth, glory, power, fluency, or cleverness to accomplish his aims. Rather, he uses methods that are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Faith in the living God, prayer, and obedience to the word of God are the effective weapons of every true soldier of Jesus Christ. It is by these that strongholds are razed.” [12]
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:3-7, “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left...”
Paul demonstrated fighting a battle spiritually rather than politically when he wrote his letter to Philemon. Paul never lectured Philemon that slavery was wrong or put any energy in trying to end slavery. Instead, Paul made friends with a slave named Onesimus. He not only led him to the Lord, but he then called him a brother and treated him as his very own son.
In those days it would have been unheard of to treat a runaway slave as a son. Paul then used his influence in love to send him back to Philemon as a changed man. Paul tells Philemon in verses 17-18, "If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes you anything, put that on my account."
Rather than pushing his beliefs on Philemon, judging him for his slave ownership, or trying to enact a law, Paul appealed to him out of love to treat Onesimus as a brother and as he would Paul, knowing Paul counted him as a son.
This would have began to undermine slavery as they knew it by changing peoples thinking and ways of treating others in love. Commentary notes that Philemon responded with grace, not only taking Onesimus back, but allowing him to participate in church and later become a bishop! [13]
In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus taught that darkness and evil are fought not by responding the same way, but by godliness. It says, “You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn him away.”
Godliness is the Greek word eusebeia and is another term for holiness. [14] It denotes that our spirituality is characterized by a Godward attitude that does that which is well-pleasing to Him. [15] Basically, it is a focus toward God (relationship with Him) that results in obedience and growing more in His likeness.
One article writes about it, “The word 'godliness' comes from a Greek stem seb-, which meant originally 'to step back from someone or something, to maintain a distance,' then 'to have awe at something, especially something lofty and sublime.'” It is combined with eu which means “abundance, fullness of.” [16]
The issue with those who were following false doctrine in the book of Timothy was that they were not looking Godward. Rather, they were looking to what they could gain for themselves. They were self-centered and had only a form of godliness, but denying its power. They were practicing godly behavior but did not have a relationship with Christ or a transformed heart.
Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
It is as we look to Christ that we are transformed more in His likeness. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
As John Piper notes, we do not grow in obedience by switching from disobedience. Rather, as we look Godward, we grow “deeper and deeper with God in the experience of obedience” as we experience depths of yieldedness to God that would not have been otherwise demanded. [17]
It is love that is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). We first need to look to Him and receive His love. I John 4:10 says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
However it does not stop there. 1 John 4:11 goes on to say, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Just as we have been loved, we are to love others (John 13:34). As we receive His love and abide in Him, we are empowered by His Spirit to give His love away, bearing fruit for the kingdom of God.
Jesus says in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
In this place of looking toward God, we can receive His love and give it away to others. When we look toward God, we receive His love and they we can love other in return rather then trying to force our behaviors to look godly.
Growing in godliness also involves suffering. John Piper notes that Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15) so he did not move from disobedience to obedience. Rather, Hebrews 5:8 says about Jesus, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”[18]
“I'm gonna show you love in every language” sings in the background.
Like Jesus, we learn obedience through our suffering. 1 John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” And Jesus says in John 15:12-14, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for His friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
Lord, thank You for Your light that shines through the darkness and Your kingdom that comes like a mustard seed and becomes a tree of righteousness that birds can find rest in. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Teach us to walk in godliness in the midst of growing darkness. Help us to, in much patience, respond to darkness and difficulties with kindness, gentleness and sincere love as we look to You.
1-2. Washington University Bible Fellowship. “The Kingdom of God is Like a Mustard Seed.” Located at: http://www.washingtonubf.org/BibleMaterials/Luke2005/luke13b_msg.html Last Accessed 7/18/11.
3-5, 10-11. Russell, Corey. Pursuit of the Holy. Forerunner Books, Kansas City, MO. 2006.
6-9. Oden, Thomas C. The Word of Life: Systematic Theology, Volume Two. HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY. 1989.
12. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. 2 Co 10:4
13. Maxwell, John. The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Second Edition. NKJV. Lessons in Leadership from the Word of God. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, Tennessee. 2007.
14. Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G2150
15. Vine, W. E. ; Unger, Merrill F. ; White, William: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1996, S. 2:272-273
16. Wilson, Dr. Ralph F. “Godliness - A Forgotten Christian Virtue.” Located at: http://www.jesuswalk.com/timothy/godliness.htm. Last Accessed: 7/18/11.
17-18. Piper, John. DesiringGod. “Where the Great King Keeps His Wine.” Located at: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/where-the-great-king-keeps-his-wine. November 19, 1990. Last Accessed: 7/18/11.
Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:1-3, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
And in 1 Timothy 6:3-12 Paul tells Timothy, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Paul was clearly mentoring Timothy in the letters he wrote to him. One of the issues that Timothy was facing that Paul was mentoring him on was how to deal with false doctrine. There were some who were departing from the faith and using it to serve their own purposes. They were disputing and stirring up contention as they argued over external religious issues. Rather than pursuing godliness in their relationship with Christ, they were following godliness in form and using their religion as a means of selfish gain.
Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
Rather than allowing the gospel to change their hearts and transform their lives, learning obedience, they were making the gospel fit their lives the way that they wanted to live it. Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Paul's advice to Timothy was not to fight greed, self-centeredness and the resulting false doctrine by hitting it head on and getting in disputes or arguments with those who were stirring up contention. Rather, Paul told Timothy to have nothing to do with them. Instead, he told Timothy that the way to fight the darkness he was up against was with godliness.
“The church will rise... to shine like You” sings in the background.
The way of the kingdom of God has never been to overthrow darkness by dominating, ruling by force and demanding one's own way. This is the way of the kingdom of the world. At the time of Paul, it was the way the Romans ruled. Rather the way of the kingdom of God is more like a mustard seed or a little yeast that starts with what seems so small but then grows and transforms all it touches -bringing life and light that overtakes the darkness.
“Then Jesus asked, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” (Luke 13:18-19)
“Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.’” (Luke 13:20-21).
One article writes about the first parable, “What does this parable mean? The kingdom of God started small but ended large.... Today, it covers the whole world. The Jews and the disciples expected that the kingdom of God would come suddenly and gloriously from the beginning by overthrowing the Roman Empire and establishing the Jewish Messianic Kingdom by the political King. But Jesus said that it would grow slowly and eventually would become a place of comfort and shelter under the protective shade of the Almighty God. What a comforting and good news it is.” [1]
This article goes on to write, “The second picture of the kingdom involves another common truth: yeast that is added to the ingredients for making bread and permeates it through and through. Small portion affects the whole dough. The point is that the kingdom will eventually permeate the world. It may be small and insignificant now, but it will eventually grow and be present everywhere. The kingdom of God will penetrate to the ends of the earth covering the whole earth. The effect of the kingdom is so powerful and it will influence the whole world.” [2]
The way of the kingdom is totally opposite of that of the world. Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.” So our confidence is not in ourselves, our ways, or our wisdom, God uses what seems to be foolish by the worlds way of thinking to display His glory. [3]
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
Cory Russell writes, This passage makes it clear that God has a controversy with the values, reasoning and lifestyles of the world, which are prevalent in Western society -even in the Church. God declares empathetically, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent' (1 Corinthians 1:19). [4]
In Matthew 11:12 Jesus says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” However Jesus demonstrated what 'taking it by force' this looked like when He gave His life up crucified on a cross while onlookers mocked and spit on Him.
Corey Russell writes, “No one was following Jesus by the time His ministry came to an end; yet the apostle Paul wrote, 'Christ crucified...[is] the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Who would have ever thought that a broken, bleeding man hanging in agony between two thieves was the greatest declaration of the wisdom of God? But God was never stronger than He was at Calvary. God was never wiser than He was at Carvery.” [5]
“Hallelujah we rejoice, what a Savior what a King” sings in the background.
When He came as Messiah, everyone expected him to overthrow the Roman empire and set them free from Caesar’s rule. They were probably deeply taken back when rather than encouraging rebellion Jesus told them in Matthew 5:41, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”
Jesus refused to fight His battle in the political arena. His battle was purely spiritual. [6] As Thomas C. Oden notes, Jesus acknowledged the Roman emperor as the legitimate temporal ruler when He told them to render to Caesar what was his. [7]
The Pharisees trying to entangle Him, asked Him if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus requested them to bring Him a denarious and asked them whose image was on it. When they responded that it was Caesar's, He told them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
Thomas C. Oden also noted that Jesus refused to judge secular affairs. When asked to answer a question about inheritance, “He replied: 'Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?' (Luke 12:14).” Thomas wrote, “this was not the task to which he was anointed. He spoke king but never courted power or popularity (Newman, PPS I, pp. 297-98).” [8]
Paul says in Romans 13:7, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
Thomas C. Oden writes that Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom and not a political one. He writes, “His kingdom is not like kingdoms that are ruled by force (Augustine, CG, FC 24, pp. 63-66). This kingdom is governed by the Spirit, by self-giving love (Calvin, Inst. 2.15.3-4). The kingdom is therefore hiddenly within us and does not come by force or external observation (Luke 17:20-21). It consists of 'righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Rom. 14:17). These are the gifts conferred by his governance (Calvin, Inst. 2.14.4).” [9]
As Corey Russell notes, “Jesus told Pontious Pilot, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews [for crucifixion]; but now My kingdom is not from here' (John 18:36).” [10]
Corey Russell goes on to write, “Jesus was making it clear that His Kingdom is from another age and operates on a completely different system than that of this world. If His Kingdom had been worldly in nature, His followers would have gathered an army and defended Him. “ [11]
Jesus refused to fight on the worlds terms. When they came to arrest Him and those around Him saw it, they asked Jesus, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?' And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear” (Luke 22:49-50). Rather, Jesus told them to permit it, healed the servants ear and went with those who would arrest Him willingly (Luke 22:52-53).
Because the kingdom of God is spiritual, we are to use spiritual weapons not ones of the world. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Commentary notes, “The Christian does not use wealth, glory, power, fluency, or cleverness to accomplish his aims. Rather, he uses methods that are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Faith in the living God, prayer, and obedience to the word of God are the effective weapons of every true soldier of Jesus Christ. It is by these that strongholds are razed.” [12]
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:3-7, “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left...”
Paul demonstrated fighting a battle spiritually rather than politically when he wrote his letter to Philemon. Paul never lectured Philemon that slavery was wrong or put any energy in trying to end slavery. Instead, Paul made friends with a slave named Onesimus. He not only led him to the Lord, but he then called him a brother and treated him as his very own son.
In those days it would have been unheard of to treat a runaway slave as a son. Paul then used his influence in love to send him back to Philemon as a changed man. Paul tells Philemon in verses 17-18, "If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes you anything, put that on my account."
Rather than pushing his beliefs on Philemon, judging him for his slave ownership, or trying to enact a law, Paul appealed to him out of love to treat Onesimus as a brother and as he would Paul, knowing Paul counted him as a son.
This would have began to undermine slavery as they knew it by changing peoples thinking and ways of treating others in love. Commentary notes that Philemon responded with grace, not only taking Onesimus back, but allowing him to participate in church and later become a bishop! [13]
In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus taught that darkness and evil are fought not by responding the same way, but by godliness. It says, “You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn him away.”
Godliness is the Greek word eusebeia and is another term for holiness. [14] It denotes that our spirituality is characterized by a Godward attitude that does that which is well-pleasing to Him. [15] Basically, it is a focus toward God (relationship with Him) that results in obedience and growing more in His likeness.
One article writes about it, “The word 'godliness' comes from a Greek stem seb-, which meant originally 'to step back from someone or something, to maintain a distance,' then 'to have awe at something, especially something lofty and sublime.'” It is combined with eu which means “abundance, fullness of.” [16]
The issue with those who were following false doctrine in the book of Timothy was that they were not looking Godward. Rather, they were looking to what they could gain for themselves. They were self-centered and had only a form of godliness, but denying its power. They were practicing godly behavior but did not have a relationship with Christ or a transformed heart.
Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
It is as we look to Christ that we are transformed more in His likeness. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
As John Piper notes, we do not grow in obedience by switching from disobedience. Rather, as we look Godward, we grow “deeper and deeper with God in the experience of obedience” as we experience depths of yieldedness to God that would not have been otherwise demanded. [17]
It is love that is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). We first need to look to Him and receive His love. I John 4:10 says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
However it does not stop there. 1 John 4:11 goes on to say, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Just as we have been loved, we are to love others (John 13:34). As we receive His love and abide in Him, we are empowered by His Spirit to give His love away, bearing fruit for the kingdom of God.
Jesus says in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
In this place of looking toward God, we can receive His love and give it away to others. When we look toward God, we receive His love and they we can love other in return rather then trying to force our behaviors to look godly.
Growing in godliness also involves suffering. John Piper notes that Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15) so he did not move from disobedience to obedience. Rather, Hebrews 5:8 says about Jesus, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”[18]
“I'm gonna show you love in every language” sings in the background.
Like Jesus, we learn obedience through our suffering. 1 John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” And Jesus says in John 15:12-14, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for His friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
Lord, thank You for Your light that shines through the darkness and Your kingdom that comes like a mustard seed and becomes a tree of righteousness that birds can find rest in. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Teach us to walk in godliness in the midst of growing darkness. Help us to, in much patience, respond to darkness and difficulties with kindness, gentleness and sincere love as we look to You.
1-2. Washington University Bible Fellowship. “The Kingdom of God is Like a Mustard Seed.” Located at: http://www.washingtonubf.org/BibleMaterials/Luke2005/luke13b_msg.html Last Accessed 7/18/11.
3-5, 10-11. Russell, Corey. Pursuit of the Holy. Forerunner Books, Kansas City, MO. 2006.
6-9. Oden, Thomas C. The Word of Life: Systematic Theology, Volume Two. HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY. 1989.
12. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. 2 Co 10:4
13. Maxwell, John. The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Second Edition. NKJV. Lessons in Leadership from the Word of God. Thomas Nelson. Nashville, Tennessee. 2007.
14. Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G2150
15. Vine, W. E. ; Unger, Merrill F. ; White, William: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1996, S. 2:272-273
16. Wilson, Dr. Ralph F. “Godliness - A Forgotten Christian Virtue.” Located at: http://www.jesuswalk.com/timothy/godliness.htm. Last Accessed: 7/18/11.
17-18. Piper, John. DesiringGod. “Where the Great King Keeps His Wine.” Located at: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/where-the-great-king-keeps-his-wine. November 19, 1990. Last Accessed: 7/18/11.
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