Last Sunday, we celebrated the blessed day of Pentecost. The event changed the world in how God intervenes with us, his children. We learned that the Holy Spirit poured out its fullness and power on the lives of the believers in Christ, and in Christ alone. He indwells, supports, guides, comforts and so much more, for all who are saved.
Even more pronounced is the mere fact that we each, as Christ-followers, have an actual purpose at our disposal, a reason that we should live a Godly life but share it. What I find very appealing is to have the Character and Qualify of a New Life that is only found in Christ our Lord. A life that is not only well structured, purified, and forgiven, but also a life that is guaranteed to have results of an unfathomable promise of everlasting life. To live a Godly life, means you will reap the reward. And when just as scripture tells us, we shall reap what we sew! We sew a Godly life, and reap everlasting life.
Today in the reading from the epistle of Romans, Paul is giving us an exposition of the life of a believer. A empirical meaning of what what it means to be a Proven Godly Character. So lets re-read the first few verses in Chapter 5.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.
In this chapter, we start to find Pauls displaying fact of being Justified by Faith. And it is this Faith that gives us the reality and presence of the Love of God. The word justified in Greek dih-ah-yo-o here has a meaning of being righteous, defend the cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of, acquit. Another way to look at being justified is how our words can both condemn us, and aquit us. Its all in what the source is! For instance, In romans 10 it says, Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” So if the source of our faith in God is in righteous, we actually are genuine about it, God will save us. If you simply pray the sinners pray without nothing more than just words to say, it has no meaning. Scripture tells us a good tree will product good fruit, but a evil tree will NOT produce good fruit.
So the immediate result of our Faith is that we see what Paul tells us next, in the peace of God. Peace is an awesome example to all who live a Godly life. Over 300 times does the scriptures mention Peace, and 30 of those are just in one book alone. The Greek work for Peace, I-ray-nay, means having peace of mind, a sense of health, and an individual's well-being. Just think, can the world give us this wholesome word called peace? Not a chance!
So having a Godly character should incorporate peace. In the epistle of Philippians, I love Chapter 4, which proclaims And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! Here we see peace as a result and action on God's part. Its something that can ONLY exists for those that live a Godly life. Those that earnestly live by faith. And remember friends, in Jesus’s sermons, the disciples' letters and even unto us today, we hear the echoes of ancient promises of God that He would give peace to his people. Always with the conviction that the deep yearning of men, which God created, shall be satisfied. If you was to read the Old Testament, you may get the impression how God seems to be a God of war, justice, and pain. Yet, we tend to overlook Gods peace, Love and sheer mercy and how it out weights all the rest. We cannot have Love without peace, we cannot have turmoil without rest. All because we choose to live a Godly life!
And lastly, we see another term that I believe is overlooked far too often; to celebrate! Now I know few and far between do we celebrate and rejoice in tribulations. When you look at the prophet job, he himself was in misery, but he still praised God for who he was. Its hard! Its not easy! Especially when encountering rough and rocky roads. BUT, it is the rocky road that does something for us! It produces a Godly character! When we think we are so far gone, so far beyond Gods reach, so tired you can’t even get up to eat, God is quietly saying, “You can do it! I am with you!”
A parishioner once was visited by their Pastor at their home, dealing with a chronic ailment. The Pastor asked how they was doing and the parishioner responded, “I’m lying here in this bed, not sure if I’m going to make it out of this alive, frightened and worried, and Jesus has the nerve to waltz in here and suggest that I ought to single handedly fund the church’s food ministry? As sick as I am, others should be looking after me, not my looking after them.” The Pastor asked, “How did Jesus respond to that?” The parishioner starred at the Pastor with the boldest look, “He said, I don’t care! What did you think you were getting into when you were baptized?”
And with the faith of God, the peace of God and now to celebrate and rejoice in God, we should be starting to see a picture forming here. Living a Godly life comes at a price, and that price had a high cost. But it was the ONLY WAY to save each of us. And that way was by the cross.
The Godly Character! We live in a world that is literally starving for men and women who have Godly character. There is a shortage to be sure, in our country, our churches and even our homes. When I think of a Godly character to give as an example, the prophet Daniel stands out. For almost 5 centuries Israel had been disobedient to God. As a result God had allowed them to be taken into a captivity that would last for 70 years. Daniel was probably in his older teenage years when this occurred. So here he was, not even out of his teen years, uprooted, and living in a foreign land that was totally strange to him. But in this context, Daniel’s character shone brightly.
In looking further, what lessons can we learn today from Daniels life? A life that was truly bright and courageous.
First, Godly character often, not always, begins in the home environment. Whom ever is a good example for God to shine in us as we was in our youth. Everyone here at one point was a child, and as a child, you experience life as a child, but you LEARN from others examples; molded and formed. Example, lets say when you grew up, your parents ate eggs with catchup on them. Soon enough, you will try to put catchup on your eggs, and if you like it, you continue. If you don’t, you quit doing it! You decided “I want to try what the world has to offer” but that influence and example will always be there. Good and Bad!
Secondly, Godly character comes alive from Scripture! It is mentioned two times where the word ‘defile himself’ is used. This speaks volumes! God had given Israel a dietary law to follow, and just like to today, when Gods laws are broken, there will be consequences. Daniel knew Gods word was alive, real and ever present. When thinking about being a Godly character of God, it means to make daily decisions wisely based upon Gods word. How many like to do puzzles? They are fun at times, but when you get one that seems to be all the same color, it becomes really hard. You try to find the corners, then you start calibrating the pieces if they fit, and sometimes, you find a piece that almost matches another, and you force it to fit, when in fact it doesn’t. A Godly character takes piece after piece, and find where it fits with close inspection, dedication and perseverance.
Thirdly, Godly character is demonstrated in times of trials and temptations; such as what Paul is telling us in Romans, and I will come back to that in a minute. Daniel was far away from home, so no one would ever know what he would have done, except God of course. In his surroundings, everyone was doing sinful behaviors, so there was the greatest temptation of giving in, since everyone else is doing it, it shouldn’t hurt, some would think. If he played his cards right, he would be on a fast-track to success and fortune. As you may remember, Daniel was a man of high honor in the land, but he was what some people would call a weakness of the day, he was a Godly man. Another definition of Godly character someone said, "Character is doing the right thing when no one else is looking." I would agree with that. But I would add this to it as well. "Character is doing the right thing when no one else is looking, and when the pressure is on you to do the wrong thing!"
In just one example of Daniel, we find where Scripture was the primary source of information and study, prayer being top priority and surrounding ourselves with Godly people in the midst of a dark world. Just think about that! Scripture, Prayer, Fellowship! Those are just a few examples, but vital ones indeed.
But one part of the Godly character I mentioned we would come back to, is how our Godly character is demonstrated during trials. And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
I do realize friends, even I, do not like pain and suffering, especially when going through a trial in life. I don’t think no one does! But what Paul is saying here is that the end result, is what we know will come when we persevere with Christ in our life! Listen to what 1 Peter tells us.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. We should celebrate, knowing what we will become.
Notice it say for a little while! Friends, our lives on this earth is very brief! When it comes to how we live, what we live for, it all comes down to this. Whom do we serve? I think about the lyrics, this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine! Absolutely! When we live the Godly life, our light shall become the beacon for others to see and follow, even when you don’t see it, expect it or hear about it! When God is involved, miracles take place, lives get changed, and souls get saved! God isn’t asking you or me to part the red sea each and every day, but only give of yourselves, daily, as we give to others daily. And we should do so freely and without reservation. I was told this when I started into the ministry, Donald, you do not have to be good like other Christians, you only need to be willing to follow Gods voice! And that’s exactly the truth! Abraham followed, Daniel followed, David followed, Jesus’s disciples followed, and we follow today! Let us each be more of God by becoming the Godly character we are born to be in Christ and Christ in us. Amen.