2) \u201cSet My Face Like Flint\u201d (Tom Edwards)
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Godliness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tom Edwards<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul had much to say to Timothy about godliness. He was to teach others to pray for all people everywhere \u2013 even \u201cfor kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity\u201d (1 Tim. 2:1,2). And while \u201cbodily discipline is only of little profit,\u201d yet \u201cgodliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come\u201d (1 Tim. 4:8). Therefore, one should discipline himself \u201cfor the purpose of godliness\u201d (v. 7) and pursue after it, along with righteousness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (cf. 1 Tim. 6:11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter also shows of the need for godliness \u2014 along with moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, brotherly kindness, and love \u2013 which is to be diligently added to one\u2019s faith (2 Pet. 1:5-7). For what good would faith be without godliness and these other virtues?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter also directs the attention to where godliness can be acquired \u2013 and it is through God\u2019s word. For he says in 2 Peter 1:3, \u201cseeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in view of the fact that \u201cthe present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire\u2026in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up\u201d (2 Pet. 3:7,10), we each should strive to be a people of \u201choly conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God\u2026\u201d (v. 11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Greek word for \u201cgodliness\u201d in 2 Peter 3:11 is \u201ceusebeia.\u201d It is translated 14 times as \u201cgodliness\u201d and once as \u201cpiety\u201d in the New American Standard Bible. Literally, it means \u201cto worship well,\u201d \u201cto be very devout.\u201d The Random House Webster\u2019s College Dictionary primarily defines godliness as \u201cobeying and revering God; devout; pious.\u201d W.E. Vine describes it as \u201cthat piety which, characterized by a God-ward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him.\u201d According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, godliness denotes a \u201ccharacter and conduct determined by the principle of love or fear of God in the heart.\u201d And E.W. Bullinger brings out an interesting point that godliness is \u201cThe opposite of\u2026 religion. Eusebia relates to real, true, vital, and spiritual relation with God; while threskeia [religion] relates to the outward acts of religious observance or ceremonies, which can be performed by the flesh. Our English word \u2018religion\u2019 was never used in the sense of true godliness. It always meant the outward forms of worship\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can clearly see Bullinger\u2019s definition demonstrated by many of the scribes and Pharisees whose \u201cgodliness\u201d was only on the surface \u2014 like an impressive veneer. In other words, they performed acts that made them appear righteous, while in actuality they were far from being godly. As Jesus states in Matthew 23:27-28: \u201cWoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like white-washed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men\u2019s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is also seen in God\u2019s rebuke of Judah who, though they went through the motions of being religious with their observance of sacrifices and feast days, yet were far from being godly (cf. Isa. 1:10-21). Compare also Amos 5:21-27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is similar to those whom Paul had told Timothy about in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. There, the apostle lists numerous specific sins that individuals would be guilty of in the last days, when difficult times would come. In this group, he points out those who will be \u201clovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concerning this phrase, \u201cholding to a form of godliness,\u201d Bullinger points out that the Greek word for \u201cform\u201d (morphosis) has not only the meaning of \u201cembodiment,\u201d but also \u201cform without substance.\u201d The latter describes these individuals who had a \u201cform of godliness,\u201d but in appearance only and not actuality. Some other Bible translations render this as, \u201can outward form of godliness\u201d (Analytical-Literal Translation), \u201chaving an appearance of godliness\u201d (Douay-Rheims). The Contemporary English Version states, \u201cEven though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won\u2019t be real.\u201d And the Weymouth New Testament renders it, \u201cand will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance of its power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When one is just going through the motions, that can lead to hypocrisy \u2013 and true godliness and hypocrisy do not mix. Consider also Matthew 6:1-18, which warns against performing deeds merely to be seen (and praised) by men. This was typical of many scribes and Pharisees. Jesus states: \u201cAnd everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, and love the best seats at a dinner party or in the synagogues, and like to be bowed to in places of public resort, and to be addressed by men as \u2018Rabbi\u2019\u201d (Matt. 23:5-7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, true godliness is characterized with a \u201cGod-ward attitude.\u201d It means we are seeking to be seen and approved by God \u2013 rather than by man. Unfortunately, gaining just the favor of men was the concern for many of the rulers. As John writes: \u201cNevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God\u201d (Jn. 12:42-43). These, therefore, had a \u201cman-ward attitude\u201d rather than a \u201cGod-ward\u201d one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we might summarize godliness as pious conduct that is carried out with a desire to please God. It begins in the heart and is manifest in conduct and actions. And as we have seen in this lesson, godliness is a most valuable and necessary virtue to possess. May we, therefore, ever strive to develop more of it in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(All Scriptures are from the NASB unless otherwise indicated.)
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\u201cSet My Face Like Flint\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The above title is taken from a prophecy concerning Christ in Isaiah 50:6-7. It states,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI gave My back to those who strike Me,
And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard;
I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.
For the Lord GOD helps Me,
Therefore, I am not disgraced;
Therefore, I have set My face like flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To \u201cset My face like flint\u201d describes how determined the Lord was toward carrying out His Father\u2019s will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we think about New Year\u2019s Resolutions, may we also strive toward being as resolved and dedicated in our service to God as Jesus was!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Tom
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1) Hear<\/strong> the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31). Tebeau Street \u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations\u2026teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age\u201d (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 Contents: 1)\u00a0 Godliness (Tom Edwards)2) \u201cSet My Face Like Flint\u201d (Tom Edwards)\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 -1- Godliness Tom Edwards Paul had much to say […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=534"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":535,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/534\/revisions\/535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith <\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized <\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday<\/strong> services: 9:00 a.m. (Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (worship)
Wednesday: <\/strong>7 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/strong>
http:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go<\/a> (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http:\/\/tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org\/<\/a>
http:\/\/ThomasTEdwards.com\/audioser.html<\/a> (audio sermons)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"