Tag Archives: godliness

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Faith & Virtue

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MakAlistair Begge every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, [etc.].  2 Peter 1:5-6

Pay careful attention to your courage. Plead with God that He would give you the face of a lion, that you may, with a consciousness of right, go on boldly. Study the Scriptures diligently and get knowledge; for a knowledge of doctrine will help a great deal to confirm faith. Try to understand God’s Word; let it dwell in your heart richly.

When you have done this, add to your “knowledge . . . self-control.” Pay attention to your body and soul. Be controlled in speech, life, heart, and thought. Add to this, by God’s Holy Spirit, patience; ask Him to give you that patience that endures affliction, which, when it is tried, will come forth as gold. Array yourself with patience, so that you do not murmur or be depressed in your afflictions.

When that grace is won, look to godliness. Godliness is something more than religion. Make God’s glory your object in life; live in His sight; dwell close to Him; seek fellowship with Him; then you will have “godliness”; and to that add brotherly love. Have a love for all the saints: And add to that a charity that opens its arms to all men and loves their souls. When you are adorned with these jewels, and just in proportion as you practice these heavenly virtues, you will come to know by clearest evidence “your calling and election.” “Make every effort,” if you would get assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting very naturally go hand in hand.

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Max Lucado – What Really Matters

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A man once went to a minister for counseling.

“I’ve lost everything” he bemoaned.

“Oh,” the preacher responded, “I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your faith.”

“No,” the man corrected him, “I haven’t lost my faith.”

“Well then,” replied the preacher, “I’m sad to hear you’ve lost your character.”

“I didn’t say that,” the man corrected.  “I still have my character.”

“Then I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your salvation.”

“That’s not what I said!” the man objected, beginning to lose patience.

The minister explained, “Well, you have your faith, your character, and your salvation.  Seems to me, you have lost none of the things that really matter.”

We haven’t either.  You and I could pray like the Puritan who sat down to a meal of bread and water.  He bowed his head and declared, “All this and Jesus too?”  Can’t we be equally content? Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain!”

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Reasons for the Storms of Life – Charles Stanley

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2 Corinthians 1:3-6

The Lord is never taken by surprise. He knows everything we’re going through, and He is orchestrating our circumstances for both our benefit and His glory, according to His good will.

One purpose for hardship is to cleanse us. Because of our own “flesh” nature and the self-absorbed world we live in, it is easy to develop me-centered attitudes, mixed-up priorities, and ungodly habits. The pressures bearing down on us from stormy situations are meant to bring these impurities to our attention and direct us to a place of repentance. Our trials are not intended to sink us but rather to purify and guide us back to the way of godliness.

Another reason for adversity is so we’ll bring comfort to others. God’s work in our lives is not meant solely for us. It is designed to reach a world that doesn’t recognize or acknowledge Him. The Lord uses the pressures we face to equip us for serving others. As we endure suffering, we will learn about God’s sufficiency, His comforting presence, and His provision of strength to help us endure. Our testimony during times of difficulty will be authentic; those to whom we minister will recognize that we know and understand their pain. What credibility would we have with people in crisis if we ourselves never experienced a deep need?

Reflecting on the divine purpose behind our hardships can help us respond to them in a God-honoring way. Take the time to fix your attention on the Lord, and seek to understand what He wants you to learn. His lessons often unfold gradually, but He will be walking by your side the whole way.