True Godliness: Reflecting the Glory of God

In our fast-paced, distraction-filled world, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We're constantly bombarded with notifications, advertisements, and the clamor of daily life. But amidst this noise, there's a call to something greater – a call to true godliness.

But what exactly is godliness? It's not just about being religious or following a set of rules. True godliness is a way of life marked by awe and reverence for the triune God. It's about recognizing His majesty, respecting His power, and allowing that recognition to transform us from the inside out.

The ancient Greeks and Romans understood the concept of reverence. They held virtue in high esteem, marveling at the idea of a perfectly virtuous person. The Jewish people, on the other hand, revered the law of God. Both groups recognized something greater than themselves, something worthy of respect and admiration. But both also faced a fundamental problem – the inability to fully embody or fulfill what they revered.

Enter Jesus Christ. In His first public sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began with a list of virtues – the Beatitudes. He spoke of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. But He didn't stop there. He declared that He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In Jesus, we find the perfect embodiment of virtue and the fulfillment of the law.

This is the mystery of godliness that the Apostle Paul speaks of in 1 Timothy 3:16: "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory." Jesus Christ, God incarnate, is the ultimate object of our reverence and awe.

So how do we cultivate this godliness in our own lives? It begins with what we look at. Our vision plays a crucial role in shaping our inner world. When we gaze upon the majesty of mountains, the vastness of the ocean, or the miracle of new life, something changes within us. We're filled with wonder and awe. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives.

The Psalmist understood this when he wrote, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4). When we fix our eyes on God, when we truly see Him for who He is, we can't help but be changed.

But here's the challenge – we have short attention spans. It's all too easy to turn our gaze away from God and focus on lesser things. This is the original problem of humanity. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve turned their eyes away from God and toward a piece of fruit. In doing so, they plunged themselves – and all of humanity – into darkness.

The good news is that Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). When we look to Jesus, the light of truth pierces through our darkness, transforming us into new creations.

However, maintaining this focus requires more than just an initial decision. We must actively pursue godliness through obedience. There's a direct relationship between our reverence for God and our obedience to His instructions for life. The more we follow God's guidance, the more clearly we can see Him.

This might sound daunting. After all, none of us get it right all the time. We stumble, we fall, we make mistakes. But here's where the power of the Holy Spirit comes in. Just as our homes have a constant supply of electricity, gas, and water, Christians have a constant supply of Holy Spirit power available to them. We need to be intentional about tapping into this power every day.

The Apostle Paul encourages us to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Philippians 2:12-13). We're not left to pursue godliness on our own strength. God Himself is working in us, empowering us to live out His purposes.

So what does this mean for us practically? It means we need to be intentional about where we fix our gaze. In a world full of distractions, we must train ourselves to see Jesus clearly. This might mean limiting things that distort our vision – unhealthy media, negative thoughts, or unbelief – and replacing them with an awe for God and His creation.

It also means being obedient to God's instructions, even when it's difficult. As we obey, our understanding grows, and we're able to see God more clearly. And through it all, we need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, consciously tapping into that constant supply of divine strength.

Why does all this matter? Because as followers of Christ, we're called to be pillars and foundations of truth in the world. We're meant to reflect the image of God, to be living testimonies of His glory. The more we live in awe of God, the more the world will see Him through us.

In a noisy, chaotic world, let's commit to keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Let's pursue obedience in faith, relying on the Holy Spirit's power. As we do, we'll find ourselves transformed, becoming more and more like the One we're beholding. And in the process, we'll shine as lights in the darkness, pointing others to the glorious mystery of godliness revealed in Jesus Christ.