Train Yourself For Godliness

Godliness, from eusebeia - Christian virtue, devotion, piety, reverence toward God; both a heart attitude and manner of living to honor and bring Him glory. To "have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16), seeing each person as He sees them and recognizing their worth as His creation and for whom He died. To reflect God's holiness and His infinite love, grace and mercy by our words and actions.

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

George Swinnock The Christian Man's Calling, adapted in Voice From The Past Puritan Devotional Readings

1 Timothy 4:7 "Train yourself for godliness."

Discipline is a metaphor from wrestlers contending for a prize. It is a resolution to put forth full strength and power. Paul challenged Timothy to godliness at all cost. We must follow our heavenly Captain with the greatest industry, and be labourers not loiteres. Lay aside any hindrance, for godliness is not to be a side-business, but a main-business.

God is our chief good and portion. Godlines is worshipping in the heart and life according to his revealed will. We must give him our love, highest joy, deepest sorrow, strongest faith, and greatest fear. The fear of God should stand at the door of our heart to examine all that goes in, lest the traitor, sin, should steal in. Godliness is the worshipping of God in the inner workings of the heart and the outward actions of the life. Heart-godliness pleases God best, and life-godliness honours him most. In a godly man's heart, though some sin is left, no sin is liked; in his life, though sin remains, yet no sin reignes. His heart is suitable to God's nature and his life answerable to God's law. The life of godliness lies mostly in his heart.

Discipline gives godliness precedence in all of his actions. Whatever is left undone, this business is sure to be done. He allots time every day for his spiritual duties with the utmost power. Whoever is displeased, or what ever is neglected, he will take care that God is worshipped.

We must wake out of sleep and put forth all our strength. Our spiritual war admits no intermission and no truce. The time is short, the task is large, the work is important. We must shake off sloth and gird up the loins of our mind, to pursue godliness with industry agaisnt all opposition, to persevere in it with constancy, and make it our main and principal work.

Peter Young, Daily Readings for a Year, on the Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1863, on Luke 13:22–30

Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, he said; labor, wrestle, strain every nerve, put forth all your powers; do your very best; let nothing daunt or discourage you: let nothing induce you to relax your efforts or your watchfulness. Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for many will seek to enter in but will take no real pains, and so shall not be able.