Godliness has great value for all things.

It is living to know God, to please Him and to become more like Him. It flows from a heart that is wholy devoted to the Lord.

Godliness is the truth of God visably expressed in our lives. What else matters in this life then pursuing godliness? This is the business of the church. This should be the priority of our lives.

This is, of course, anchored in the grace of God. If we try to focus on our good works, we will become proud. We are not justifed by God because of the beautiful things that we do for Him. He freely gave us justifcation and now that we have it, we can't change it, alter it, lose it or fall from it. We can be more or less sanctified, but we stand in front of a holy God because He allows it by His Son's death on our behalf. Yet, I must not be lazy.

If I am not training myself in godliness, I am automatically training myself in ungodliness. It is both a gift and a duty to pursue holiness. Are we willing to pay the price to bear much fruit for God?

We do not drift into godliness. If my ship is at one side of the bay, I cannot cross it unless I raise my sails. There is grace in the wind to carry me to the other side but I must capture it within my sails.

We have many enemies within and without that will seize each oportunity which we negelct. Our heart is a battlefield. Like it or not, we are in the war.

Our ultimate motivation to pursue godliness is that God will be glorified and that the gospel would become more beautiful and attractive to others. We do not pursue godilness in order to "feel better about ourselves" or to "look good."

We must draw attention to God's grace, not our own effort. Apart from Christ, I can do NOTHING. May all glory be given to His name. May I boast only in the cross, which has set me free from the bondage of sin and death. I could not be whom I am today without it. He made me who I am.

We are the light of the world. We are the aroma of Christ. We are His ambassidors. Do we make the gospel attractive?

Train yourself in godliness so that you may be ready in all circumstances to respond in a Christ like manner when you face trials.

Train yourself in godliness so that you may be ready, able and equiped to serve others.

May the gospel be adorned in all things.

:md

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