Recently, I told people at a conference that I grew up in perhaps the three most dangerous and immoral parts of Lagos. They all gave me a surprise look. I went ahead to say that I lived right in the midst of teenage pregnancies, all kinds of betting practices, hooliganism, crimes, etc. But I left those places untainted by God’s grace. Then, I briefly explained to them the mystery of godliness.
Friend, godliness is a mystery (1 Timothy 3:16). We need a divine revelation to walk in it and to enjoy the blessings in it. There are two forces at work on the earth today; the force of godliness and the force of iniquity. Both are described as mystery. The force or mystery of godliness is a divine program, while the mystery of iniquity is a satanic agenda in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
If you don’t submit to the mystery of godliness, you would be a victim of the mystery of iniquity (2 Peter 2:1-10). Godliness is a powerful force of victory for the believer. Daniel, Joseph, Jesus, etc., all operated the mystery of godliness, and they were able to overcome the forces of wickedness and iniquity in their day (Daniel 1:8, Romans 1:4). Don’t be swept off by the program of hell in our day. Get a grip on godliness and enjoy matchless victory.
Godliness is a nature, culture, and action. It is the nature of God that every born-again person receives at salvation (2 Peter 1:3-4). It is what enables us to live like God on the earth. It is what equips us to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. It is the character of Christ that causes us to shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).
Godliness is a tripartite spirit expressing itself in righteousness, purity, and holiness. While righteousness is a nature, purity is a culture, and holiness is an action. We received the nature of righteousness as a gift at salvation (Romans 5:17). But we need to culture our hearts and minds in purity so we can function in holiness. We are 100% righteous, but we are not 100% holy.
Purity of heart is what determines holiness of life (Psalms 24:4). Purity of heart and mind begins with understanding that you have been made righteous by Christ and walking in the consciousness of the same (2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 John 3:3). Purity comes by renewing your mind with the word of God and by subduing wrong thoughts to the obedience of God’s word. You cannot be purer than your thought life, and you cannot be holier than the purity of your heart (Matthew 5:8, 20).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria