by Rev. Aidan Moon
The Value of Godliness
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.“
– 1 Timothy 4:7-8, English Standard Version
Earlier this month Family of Christ’s men gathered for a retreat in the mountains focused on this verse from Timothy. As I spent a weekend among men, I saw parallels to the message Paul shares with Timothy and the activities we were carrying out. All day, every day, men were challenging themselves, learning new skills, honing familiar skills, on the mountainside or the gun range or in a 4×4. Meanwhile, we spent the evenings engaged with scripture, learning about what Paul calls “the secret of godliness.”
Our life of faith takes training – but the godliness Paul speaks of isn’t just about morality – it’s deeper. Godliness is about trust. It’s about the reliance on and loyalty to God, that “fear, love, and trust” in God that defines us. And to train for it means to immerse ourselves in his story. In the good news that it truly has already been accomplished for you. Jesus is the definition of godliness – not just as an example, but as a source.
This is a good message for a group of men – but it’s also a good message for all of us. Our habits and behaviors aren’t neutral – they matter. We have to be training. But what are we training for? We are training to have a posture of reliance upon God, hope in him, and trust that is firmly grounded in his promise.
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
