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“I think it is right to refresh your memory… [so] you will always be able to remember these things.” (Peter—v.13-15)

• Goodness—full of?
• Knowledge—upgrading?
• Self-control—learning to say no?
• Patience—staying under?

Godliness - “Eusebeia” in the time of the early church was a Greek goddess!

Why this quality?

• Cannot be acquired by fate or by flesh.
• The image of God in mankind has become almost unrecognizable.
• We must not become satisfied with simply being saved or we may not in fact be saved.

What is Godliness?...how does it differ from goodness?
“a call to be like God” (Breese)
“a very practical awareness of God in every aspect of life” (Blum)
The goal of our knowledge and gift of His power (v.3)

• Two kinds of people (Psalm 1)
• The “mystery of godliness” vs. a “form of godliness” (1 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 3:5)
  A life centred on Christ and power derived from Him
  More than believing the right things and doing the right things; being consumed by the right Being and His power. (Ps. 37:4)
  
  
• Becoming holy (like God is holy) and no longer conformed to evil (selfish) desires (v.3,4; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Rom. 8:12-13; Eph. 4:22-24)

Worse than failing, is succeeding at what doesn’t matter.

How do you make every effort to add to your faith, GODLINESS?

1. Live for God—you will be rewarded with godliness (Rom 8:29; Ps. 37:4) You become like the object of your affection.

2. Think like Jesus—the mind of Christ is our gift at salvation (Phil 2:5) Every situation, event, circumstance is a godliness-shaping exercise (Rom. 8:28)

3. Claim the promises of God—God means what he has promised (v.4) We are changed by our trust. Through His promises we participate in the divine nature and escape worldly pollution.

Our godliness is the living, breathing, testimony/witness to the world of a saving, life-changing God. Everybody is trying to change their lives (self-help, health care, physical training, yoga, gender-shifting); only God can change you into the actual image of your intended creation—the imago Dei.

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