Train yourself to be godly
February 3, 2011 Leave a comment
‘The practice of godliness’ by Jerry Bridges – Chapter 3 – a continuation of notes
‘Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;’
(1 Timothy 4:7 ESV)
It can sometimes be a nagging question. In our quest for holiness how much is us? How much is God? I don’t want to try to do that which only God can work in me, yet we know that scripture lays responsibility on our part? God has given us a law to fulfill, yet, we know that we can only ‘bear fruit’ as Jesus said in John chapter 15 if we ‘abide in him’?
This chapter helps me personally with these series of questions
‘Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;’ (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV)
There is indeed a personal responsibility – “train yourself” – truly there is a personal weight.
A question then is, ‘Am I training myself first in Christian business or godliness?’
This training is akin to the training of an athlete – what rigour they undergo!
‘No one makes it to the level of olympic, or even national, competition without a commitment to pay the price of rigorous, daily training.’ (35)
‘The Holy Spirit…teaches and trains us through His Word. Therefore we must consistently expose ourselves to the teaching of the Word of God if we are to grow in godliness’ (36)
‘Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness’ (Titus 1:1 ESV)
“our practice of godliness would be very incomplete without a regular Bible reading programme of some type” (40)
“reading gives us breadth, but study give us depth’ (41)
“Every Christian should be a student of the Bible” (42)
‘For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food’ (Hebrews 5:12 ESV)
Keys to our scriptural approach for the purpose of godliness.
Hear, read, study, memorize, meditate.
Taken from Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV), we find
Teachability – ‘accept my words’
Intent to obey - ‘store up My commands’
Mental discipline – ‘apply your heart’
Prayerful dependence - ‘call out, cry aloud’
Diligent perseverance – ‘search as for hidden treasure’
Meditation is the process of storing the Word up in our hearts.
‘Walking with God involves communion with God. His Word is absolutely necessary and central to our communion with Him’ (45)
‘Pleasing God requires knowing His will…His word is the only means by which He communicates that will to us’ (45)
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