THE RESTORING OF
GODLINESS
INTRODUCTION
The restoring of godliness is a must to nations who have tasted the goodness of God but allowed the unfruitful works of ungodliness to surface with acceptability rather than rejection.
There is an advancement
of a progressive social gospel which fails to identify sin, accepts the ungodliness of man by allowing it to cultivate and nourish; having withdrawn from God’s Word, towards
that which is easily digested and does not interfere with one’s desired lifestyle.
The Restoring of Godliness
Aware of Surrounding
It was noted what once would have shocked Christians is now commonplace. There is much that does not disturb the church like it once did. Many Christians have been lulled into believing that all is well. There may be small victories, a revival here, a church doing a good work there, but where is the moral outrage necessary to petition God for a new reformation or another great awakening?
Apostle Paul noted: You (the church) are all the children (sons) of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober (self-controlled) (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6). Paul was noting the contrast between the wicked and the righteous; reminding the righteous to shine forth, aware of their surroundings, and walk in the Lord.
Rejection of Morals
Apostle Paul instructed a young evangelist named Timothy to hold faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away (rejected) concerning faith have made (suffered) shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:19). It was noted that some had rejected the inner moral voice of conscience, strayed from the truth of God into heresy; having departed from moral roots established by God’s Word.
In addressing a similar instance, Paul addressed the Galatians in saying: I marvel (am amazed) that you are so soon removed (turning away) from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel; which is not another, but there would be some that trouble you and would (want to) pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7). It was noted that so soon removed can be translated as quickly deserting.
The Galatians were in the initial state of defecting to a different kind of gospel; other than previously taught. The restoring of godliness; being mindful of the dividing element, and restoration, was being emphasized by Paul to prevent any deterrence from that originally taught by Paul, and other men of God, under God’s anointing and direction.
Lack of Spiritual
Fortitude
There is a dereliction of duty that does little to motivate the restoring of godliness in the land. There are those who profess Christianity but lack spiritual fortitude; having been fed the niceties of God’s Word, rather than adherence to the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God.
Apostle Paul issued a warning: We (ministers of Christ) have said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel to you than you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:9). I certify (make known), that the gospel which was preached of me is not after (according to) man. For I never received it of man, neither was taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus (Galatians 1:11-12).
We are witnessing a lack of spiritual fortitude, sweeping aside what was once based on the firm foundation of God’s Word, towards a progressive social gospel which makes way for the cultural changes of our day.
Godly Man Ceases
The Psalmist wrote: Help Lord; for the godly man ceases, for the faithful fall (disappear) from among the children of men (Psalm 12:1). A legendary evangelist of the first Great Awakening, Charles G. Finney noted a reason for such an occurrence: Preaching will bear its legitimate fruits; if immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours to a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it.
If Satan rules in our halls of Justice, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact; but let us lay it to heart, and awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation. We are witnessing all of the mentioned occurrences; along with failure to promulgate the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God and the restoring of godliness being placed on the sideline.
Chief Dangers Coming
Century
Jesus said: The Spirit of truth (God’s Spirit) whom the world cannot receive, because it sees (perceives) him not, neither knows him; but you (the believer) know him, for he dwells in you, and shall be in you (John 14:17). It was noted that we are entering a period of time; that not only the world cannot see (perceive) the Spirit of truth, but many in the church have lost sight of him as well.
Sometime prior to his death, General Booth of the Salvation army, uttered this significant prophecy: I consider that the chief dangers that confront the coming century will be Religion without the Holy Ghost; Christianity without Christ; Forgiveness without regeneration; Morality without God; and Heaven without Hell. Words of the past often come to fruition and readily identifiable by those whose eyes are open to the truth. Those who remain in the darkness, in regards to the truth, often are comfortable in their present status and desire no change.
Conduct of This
World
Godliness is defined as piety towards God and conduct which springs forth from a proper relationship with Him. It is not done from a sense of duty but that spontaneous virtue that comes from the indwelling of Christ that reflects Him. Apostle John wrote: He that says he abides in him (Christ) ought himself so to walk, even as he walked (1 John 2:6). It was noted that while no one can duplicate Jesus’ atoning ministry, believers are called on to imitate His devotion to God. The restoring of godliness requires such a walk.
Apostle Paul wrote: Put off concerning the former conversation (conduct) of the old man (pre-conversion status), which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (desires); and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new man (born-again in Christ), which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). One is to resist being poured into the mold of present day thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world.
Denying Ungodliness
The Psalmist wrote: Know that the Lord has set apart him that is godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call upon him (Psalm 4:3). Apostle Paul wrote: The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts (desires) we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).
It was noted that we are in a crucial moment throughout Christian nations. Which will it be Christian biblical values or totally secular values? Many want secular values without reference to God. This is a clear indication that there is a dire need towards the restoring of godliness; versus secular values, which would push aside the Word of God, bring dominance of secular values in many once godly nations. It is as an octopus extending its tentacles towards embracing and squeezing the life out of its prey.
No Regard for God
Ungodliness has no regard for God, or His Word, allowing sin and wickedness to prevail in the land; rather than godliness. Scripture reveals: The Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish (Psalm 1:6). There is a way which seems right to a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but he loves him that follows after righteousness (godliness) (Proverbs 15:19).
This gives ready reference to a dire need towards the restoring of godliness in a sin dominated world. There is a fruition of ungodliness that is flourishing; expending its reach and dominating rather than being exposed and rejected! There is an increase in having no regard for the Word of God or a day of reckoning.
Electronic Age Promoting
Ungodliness
Ungodliness
is being enhanced by an electronic age that originally was intended for the
good of mankind but is being utilized by the ungodly to promote more
ungodliness and acceptance. We are
seeing the robbing of nations moral values with a great need towards the
restoring of godliness in the land. Many
are becoming desensitized or immune to the ungodly language being promoted as
acceptable, with immoral portrayals of ungodly lifestyles as healthy and
desirable, openly proclaimed with pride and no shame.
Prophet Jeremiah, speaking the words of the Lord said: Were they (the people) ashamed when they had committed (allowed) abominations? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore they shall fall among them that fall, at the time that I visit (punish) them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 6:15).
God's Promise
A fulfillment of the restoring of godliness can come through God’s promise to King Solomon, regarding the people of Israel, but applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith:
If my people, which are called by may name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). This is a high expression of God’s readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people.
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