The issue of adding godliness so that you’re not unfruitful in knowing Jesus is one of the most obvious connections ever. It really is.
So, unsurprisingly, in as much as it is that obvious, in all our love for Jesus and giving Him thanks for all He’s done for us, there is still missing the point of being like Him.
Recently someone outlined the life of Joseph to me. His time with his jealous brothers and is doting father through to being a slave for Potiphar. From being a prisoner of Pharaoh to then dramatically shooting up the promotion ladder to becoming second in charge of the entirety of Egypt. In it all my friend was challenging me to see if I saw the life of Christ in what I saw. It was amazing how the life of Christ was evident in behaviours and actions of people in the story – not just Joseph. The point my friend was making was that the scriptures were given so we could have glimpses of Christ all the way through until He finally came on the scene. Those glimpses are there if we have the heart and desire to acknowledge it.
What does that have to do with godliness? When Jesus had his final conversation with his disciples before his arrest and subsequent crucifixion, he said some things that even astounded his disciples.
The way to God is through Jesus, the way to be like God is found in Jesus. Seeing Him is seeing the Father and getting to the Father can only be done through Him. To become godly and pursue godliness is a lifelong pursuit of Jesus glimpsed in the shadows around his earthly ministry. Before in the narrative of a people given evidences of Him. After His ascension in the witness of the disciples and the communities of grace that sprung up each challenged to be like Him individually and corporately.
Jesus helps us tremendously – he shows us what it is to be human and he shows us what it is to be godly. He does so in such a way that makes life in Him accessible and possible and by seeing Him, following Him and being like Him, so we understand like Him what it is to just be about doing and being everything pleasing to the Father.
When asked what it is to be godly and exercise godliness, the reference should be to be like Jesus in character, motivation and mission. It often conjures some sort of sanctimonious, unapproachable, above-the-people imagery – but that is not what we see in Jesus.
I love this hymn. It’s a pretty tune, which is the first reason why I liked it when I heard it as a child. Now the lyrical content outlines well what it is to exercise godliness – it’s all about a heart that keeps saying, “I want to be like you, Jesus. Pure as you are. Come in your fullness and stamp your image deep in my heart.”
That request made on a moment by moment and incident by incident basis radically adjusts our reference for being. It means we cannot just accept things about us the way they are. It means we are seeking the Kingdom of heaven on earth first evidenced through our lives submitted to Him to be pleasing in His sight.
It’s the sort of pursuit that leaves us with the desire that when people see us, they can get a glimpse of the Father through the Son as the indwelling Spirit beams His character and purpose for others to see.
We will never be unfruitful in knowing Jesus if our desire is to make every effort to add godliness.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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