Living a Godly Focused life

It can be hard to live in the world but not of the world.

1. The Call to Live a Godly Life

A godly life is one that reflects God's character and aligns with His purposes. It is marked by love, holiness, humility, and a desire to honor God in all aspects of life. Living this way requires surrendering to God’s will, rejecting sin, and prioritizing eternal values over temporary pleasures.

Scripture Examples of Godly Living:

• Romans 12:1-2 (NIV):
  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

  This passage emphasizes that living a godly life involves a complete transformation of the mind and heart. It’s about choosing God’s ways over worldly ways and submitting to His perfect will.

• Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV):
  "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

  Jesus calls His followers to live in such a way that their lives serve as a testimony to God’s goodness, reflecting His glory to the world.

• 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV):
  "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’"

  A godly life is characterized by holiness—a life set apart for God, reflecting His purity and moral excellence.

2. The Temptation of a Worldly Life

A worldly life, on the other hand, is often driven by self-interest, materialism, pride, and a desire for temporal success and pleasure. It is in direct contrast to the life God desires for His followers. Worldly values are rooted in selfishness, and the pursuit of wealth, power, and fame can lead people away from the true purpose of life: to glorify God.

Scripture Examples of Worldly Living:

• 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV):
  "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."

  This passage highlights the dangers of loving the world and the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits. Worldly living focuses on temporary pleasures and selfish desires that ultimately lead to spiritual death.

• Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV):
  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

  Jesus warns against accumulating earthly wealth and possessions, which can become distractions from the more important, eternal things of God’s kingdom.

• James 4:4 (NIV):
  "You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

  James strongly condemns worldliness, equating it to spiritual adultery. A love for the world, with all its distractions and temptations, leads to a separation from God.

3. The Fruits of Living a Godly Life

A godly life is marked by spiritual fruit that is visible in one's character, relationships, and actions. This fruit is a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer's life.

Scripture on the Fruits of a Godly Life:

• Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV):
  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

  The transformation that comes from living a godly life is evident in the fruit of the Spirit, which contrasts sharply with the works of the flesh, such as immorality, impurity, and idolatry (Galatians 5:19-21).

• Titus 2:11-12 (NIV):
  "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."

  A godly life is one that says "no" to the desires of the flesh and embraces self-control, uprightness, and a godly lifestyle.

4. The Consequences of Living a Worldly Life

Living a worldly life ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness, conflict with God, and eternal separation from Him. The pleasures of the world are fleeting, and pursuing them at the expense of one’s relationship with God leads to destruction.

Scripture on the Consequences of Worldly Living:

• Romans 8:6-8 (NIV):
  "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God."

  A life that is dominated by worldly desires and pursuits is incompatible with a relationship with God. Such a life leads to spiritual death and separation from God.

• Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV):
  "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

  The wide path of worldly living leads to destruction, while the narrow path of godliness leads to eternal life. The decision to live a godly life requires a conscious choice to follow Jesus, even when it is difficult or unpopular.

5. Choosing Between a Godly and Worldly Life

The Bible makes it clear that believers must choose between a godly life and a worldly life. The temptation to conform to the world is strong, but the rewards of living according to God’s will are eternal and far greater.

Scripture on Choosing the Godly Life:

• Joshua 24:15 (NIV):
  "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

  Joshua declares his commitment to serve God, encouraging others to make a conscious choice to follow the Lord.

• Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV):
  "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.'"

  Following Jesus requires self-denial and sacrifice. The decision to live for God is often counter to the ways of the world, but it leads to eternal fulfillment and joy.

Conclusion

Living a godly life requires a deliberate choice to align with God's values and purposes, rejecting the distractions and temptations of the world. It is marked by holiness, love, and a desire to serve God. The Bible warns against the dangers of worldly living, which ultimately leads to spiritual death and separation from God. As believers, we are called to live in the light of God’s truth, bearing fruit for His kingdom and reflecting His glory in all that we do.

In the end, the question remains: Will we choose the fleeting pleasures of the world or the eternal rewards of a godly life? The Bible makes it clear that the path to life and peace is through a life lived according to God’s will, empowered by the Holy Spirit.