The power of godliness- Do we have it? Do we deny it?

[Gideons300]

[

New Living Translation (

Edited June 2, 2010 by Gideons300

[Fraught]

The work that God begins in a new christian can be difficult to go through. Maybe because it can be so devastating to face your real self, people run away and immerse themselves in so many other things. Sometimes those things have the form of godliness - even ministries and study.

But those things don't go far toward making one a new creature in Christ Jesus.

[Gideons300]

The work that God begins in a new christian can be difficult to go through. Maybe because it can be so devastating to face your real self, people run away and immerse themselves in so many other things. Sometimes those things have the form of godliness - even ministries and study.

But those things don't go far toward making one a new creature in Christ Jesus.

Fraught, you are absolutely right. But sadly, many continue in this for years, long after being new Christians. If we could but see that God is not impressed with our goodness, nor our righteousness, and frankly not at all surprised by the failures our flesh bring to the table. There is no point in running nor in hiding. Where shall we run where God is not there?

He simply wants us to admit that we are in need of a new nature because He has one for each of us, a nature we are to put on by faith, not be works or our own efforts.

If any readers have recognized themselves in this description as one who has a form but no power, do not despair. Simply come to him and tell Him you know you need His power in order to change, and that you are well aware that in you dwells no good thing. To your amazement, you will see Jesus smiling through your tears.

Blessings, Bruce

Edited June 2, 2010 by Gideons300

[missjenny]

[

New Living Translation (

[missjenny]

The way I see it is that there are only two ways to deal with sin/unrighteousness. Carnally -- law, rules, bodily disciplines, trying and trying and trying - or - Spiritually -- God's ways, which does take faith because it puts us into the Spiritual realm.

Galatians 5 does put it wonderfully. The flesh only produces what is carnal and for self-interest. So, any thing I try and do by self-restraint is like using the flesh to deal with the flesh. It just doesn't work...at least for a long lasting effect. HOWEVER, the Holy Spirit produces in us His character through walking in His ways....

Carnal produces carnal. Spiritual produces Godliness...or Christ-likeness!!

I can almost see (I am very visual) the Holy Spirit standing by as He watches as we wrestle with ourselves, getting nowhere. God wants us to understand that His ways do not feel or seem natural or even effective to our carnal minds...but they are. They are powerful!! The fruits of God working in us produces powerful effects!! (Gal. 5 :16,17,22,23,25)

God is not into "God helps those who helps themselves" to acheive Godliness. Either we struggle on our own, or we give over control. It's kinda like the scripture that says that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Having one leg in both worlds just doesn't work.

When I am agape-loving those around me, then I won't be consciencously harming (sinning towards) those around me. When I am in the process of being a peacemaker, then I just won't be quarreling and causing problems. When I am watching for opportunities to be kind, then I will not have the mindset to be mean...and so on...

Light quenches darkness...they cannot both be in existence together. When I agape-love, I cannot conscienciously cause harm. One cannot exist with the other. Therefore love fulfills the law and produces Godliness.

Walking in the Holy Spirit...especially thru daily intention and experience...the power of the flesh begins to fade and doesn't have it's influence anymore.

I love this kind of life!! Looking for opportunities to love and be kind is so much fun and does have a profound effect on both the lover and the lovee. Focusing on Someone bigger and more powerful then you are...the Holy Spirit...becomes the only remedy.

One can also look at it this way....that when I set out in the morning with my focus on acting more like Christ...then it will be very difficult to act contrary...and it gets more difficult as time passes and more natural to follow the HS's lead. There will always be the conflict (Gal. 5:17) but the HS is more powerful and will cause much success as we use this freedom (from the laws demands) wisely.

Thanks for reading....

P.S. Living this way takes us out from underneath the need for the law/rules....as loving others fulfills the law's requirements. (vs 14 + 18)

[Gideons300]

The way I see it is that there are only two ways to deal with sin/unrighteousness. Carnally -- law, rules, bodily disciplines, trying and trying and trying - or - Spiritually -- God's ways, which does take faith because it puts us into the Spiritual realm.

Galatians 5 does put it wonderfully. The flesh only produces what is carnal and for self-interest. So, any thing I try and do by self-restraint is like using the flesh to deal with the flesh. It just doesn't work...at least for a long lasting effect. HOWEVER, the Holy Spirit produces in us His character through walking in His ways....

Carnal produces carnal. Spiritual produces Godliness...or Christ-likeness!!

I can almost see (I am very visual) the Holy Spirit standing by as He watches as we wrestle with ourselves, getting nowhere. God wants us to understand that His ways do not feel or seem natural or even effective to our carnal minds...but they are. They are powerful!! The fruits of God working in us produces powerful effects!! (Gal. 5 :16,17,22,23,25)

God is not into "God helps those who helps themselves" to acheive Godliness. Either we struggle on our own, or we give over control. It's kinda like the scripture that says that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Having one leg in both worlds just doesn't work.

When I am agape-loving those around me, then I won't be consciencously harming (sinning towards) those around me. When I am in the process of being a peacemaker, then I just won't be quarreling and causing problems. When I am watching for opportunities to be kind, then I will not have the mindset to be mean...and so on...

Light quenches darkness...they cannot both be in existence together. When I agape-love, I cannot conscienciously cause harm. One cannot exist with the other. Therefore love fulfills the law and produces Godliness.

Walking in the Holy Spirit...especially thru daily intention and experience...the power of the flesh begins to fade and doesn't have it's influence anymore.

I love this kind of life!! Looking for opportunities to love and be kind is so much fun and does have a profound effect on both the lover and the lovee. Focusing on Someone bigger and more powerful then you are...the Holy Spirit...becomes the only remedy.

One can also look at it this way....that when I set out in the morning with my focus on acting more like Christ...then it will be very difficult to act contrary...and it gets more difficult as time passes and more natural to follow the HS's lead. There will always be the conflict (Gal. 5:17) but the HS is more powerful and will cause much success as we use this freedom (from the laws demands) wisely.

Thanks for reading....

P.S. Living this way takes us out from underneath the need for the law/rules....as loving others fulfills the law's requirements. (vs 14 + 18)

Excellent post!

[missjenny]

[

moved to "Job" in documents

Edited June 6, 2010 by missjenny

[OneLight]

Gods word is true through and through. There will be a falling away. The real question is what are we holding onto? Is it power or is it Christ?

If I lay my self down in everything I do and allow His Spirit to live in and through me, then the fruits of His Spirit will abound and I will be nothing and He will be everything. If I focus on just having the power to accomplish what my flesh can not, then I am looking through a tunnel and seeking a prize and not the Person of Christ. Not everyone who walks in the Spirit will be the exact same way for God has created a full body for Himself where one is an eye, another an ear, another a finger, another a toe ... all the same body, but have different functions.

It is when we stop seeking the rewards and seek Him that we cast our cares away and accept all that He has for us, not even caring for this world, though still loving those who are in it. We are to be content in what He has for us.

Let's look at the scripture you brought forward.

2 Timothy 3

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra

[missjenny]

Gods word is true through and through. There will be a falling away. The real question is what are we holding onto? Is it power or is it Christ?

If I lay my self down in everything I do and allow His Spirit to live in and through me, then the fruits of His Spirit will abound and I will be nothing and He will be everything. If I focus on just having the power to accomplish what my flesh can not, then I am looking through a tunnel and seeking a prize and not the Person of Christ. Not everyone who walks in the Spirit will be the exact same way for God has created a full body for Himself where one is an eye, another an ear, another a finger, another a toe ... all the same body, but have different functions.

It is when we stop seeking the rewards and seek Him that we cast our cares away and accept all that He has for us, not even caring for this world, though still loving those who are in it. We are to be content in what He has for us.

Let's look at the scripture you brought forward.

2 Timothy 3

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra

[Gideons300]

Gods word is true through and through. There will be a falling away. The real question is what are we holding onto? Is it power or is it Christ?

If I lay my self down in everything I do and allow His Spirit to live in and through me, then the fruits of His Spirit will abound and I will be nothing and He will be everything. If I focus on just having the power to accomplish what my flesh can not, then I am looking through a tunnel and seeking a prize and not the Person of Christ. Not everyone who walks in the Spirit will be the exact same way for God has created a full body for Himself where one is an eye, another an ear, another a finger, another a toe ... all the same body, but have different functions.

It is when we stop seeking the rewards and seek Him that we cast our cares away and accept all that He has for us, not even caring for this world, though still loving those who are in it. We are to be content in what He has for us.

Let's look at the scripture you brought forward.

2 Timothy 3

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra