We’ve all heard about the benefits of being a lifelong learner. Openness to learning new things aids us on many levels, including in the spiritual realm. Our “teachers” in this process matter greatly, and God’s grace is the most important teacher we could ever have. His undeserved favor teaches us how to be like Jesus and instructs us how to live godly.
God offers His grace to everyone. The grace that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live righteously and godly in this present world. However, not everyone chooses to receive this grace—only those who decide to get born again. Godliness means to regard God, to involve Him in everything we do, and to voluntarily depend on Him; this eliminates tons of people.
Trusting God lets Him radically change us for the better, which is something the world strives unsuccessfully to do through self-effort. Anyone in Christ has become a new creature; the old things have passed away and all things have become new. God restores us back to Adam’s original state before he sinned and makes us into new creatures with divine natures.
Godliness has its costs; all who live godly will suffer persecution. Despite that, letting Jesus instruct us gives us a contentment that comes from heaven. Godliness with contentment is great gain. In this world, genuine contentment is in short supply.
It’s imperative to train ourselves to be godly. Physical training is of some value, but godliness is valuable for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. There’s nothing wrong with learning worldly lessons, as long as we know what’s really important in the long run. Above all else, understanding the link between grace and godliness helps us in this world and in the next.
Prayer:
God, it’s our decision whether or not to accept Your grace. Its objective isn’t to give us a license to sin, but to make us want to live godly lives. Despite what we endure in the natural, living godly is well worth the price we pay. We’re thankful for the opportunity to learn godliness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scriptures:
Titus 2:11, 12
2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV
2 Timothy 3:12
1 Timothy 6:6
1 Timothy 4:7, 8, NIV