What is a Holy and Godly life?

[Stan]

“ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ” (2 Peter 3:10-11)

[Taylor]

Good question.

It is interesting to me to note when Jesus talks about separating the sheep and the goats, the criteria for doing so has to do with how they treated people (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving water to the thirsty etc..).

And interestingly enough both the sheep and the goats were surprised and said "When saw we thee naked and clothed thee or in prison and visited thee..." (sorry for the KJ old english...happens to be what I memorized this text in years ago., lol)

The goats are surprised at Jesus's words because they NEVER even thought of looking for the hungry or those in prison and doing anything about it! They were likely so self-centered they never noticed the needs around them. They think they are not responsible because they never saw any needs, so how can they help it if they missed someone?

The Sheep are equally surprised. They are so accustomed to helping others and treating others with the same loving concern they would want shown to them, that it never occured to them that they were doing anything unique. They hadn't noticed they were doing it for Jesus (i.e. as a way to gain merit points for salvation), they were taking care of these people simple because there was a need and they were humans. They truely love people the way Jesus does.

Doctrine is very important, understanding all the finer points of the Bible and gleaning as much truth as we humanly can is a great goal. However, in the end, if we have Jesus living in our hearts.....it will be evidenced not by mere knowledge but in how we reflect his character to the world.

We are to be mirrors to reflect Jesus's love and compassion to a dying world.

[Clio]

Taylor,

I think you captured it in a nutshell.

The only thing I would add, is that as we study and draw nearer to Him, as ways in which to honor, praise Him, and give Him glory are presented to us, we should incorporate those into our daily lives.

I'm not talking about salvation issues, but things that He has ordained and identified in His Word. There are spiritual things as well as physical things that can be incorporated into one's life that bring glory and praise to the Father.

Rather than list them, I would simply encourage anyone interested to carefully study the Books of the Pentateuch. Not just the stories, but all the books. We are told that all Scripture is profitable in many ways.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17.

Clio

[Taylor]

bump

[Clio]

Uhm.... This population usually has lots to say... does anyone else have an opinion on this?

It would seem that this might be something practical as well as spiritual that would allow us to reach out and meet, where they are at, those around us who need Jesus.

I think there's more to this holy and Godly living bit, than just being "holy" and "Godly". It also has to be practical because that's how you reach others.

Ideas?

[Norman Byers, N.D.]

Hi Stan,

This is a good question and I have, in a round about way, been discussing this with Rob in another post. I won't get into all that, but what I can share is what I have experienced.

I have experienced that a godly and holy life is one where I am in total love (not emotional, but not excluding that either) with my Father, Abba. When my practice is to eagerly speak to Him in thankfulness and joy with unshakable peace, then I will express my love to Him and His creation by letting the Spirit guide me to do good for others, pray for the lost and those who are my spiritual family and then to actually seek the lost.

I love my Father and I do not want to do anything that will get in the way of expressing my love to Him. I watch what I eat, what I say, what I do and where I go. I have started and Denise has joined me in fasting one day every week for clarity of mind. We start Thurday after supper and start eating Sabbath after church (Sabbath a joyful day) I have also gone from 3 meals a day to 2 (sometimes 3). I used to eat 21 meals a week and now I eat 12-16 I have started to exercise as well. My mind is a lot clearer and I have more enthusiasm and energy. I have a more vibrant experience and joy is a powerful inner strengthener in my soul. I enjoy doing these things because I am better able to discern the Spirit.

Life changes from selfish desires to selfless seeking of the good of others. I Thank Jesus, for without Him I would still be afraid of my Father. Jesus my creator, has shown me what my Father is really like and I no longer have to fear death, or be taken by the lies and deceptions of Satan.

There's a joy that should be present in all true believers life that is not seen in the life of unbelievers. This joy comes from knowing that we are personally chosen and loved of God and that we are now able to overcome in His strength, where as before this life changing union, we were in bondage to sin. To me, That is being holy, godly and being a light in a world of gross darkness.

Norman

[Clio]

Norman,

That's beautiful... Thank you for sharing.

Clio

[Nicodema]

There's other hungers to feed and "nakednesses" to clothe as well. When we offer someone emotional support, a listening ear, a caring arm, we are feeding their soul hunger. When we stand with them and defend their honor, we are providing a "covering" of another sort, so they are not left naked and vulnerable to whatever unpleasant things life is throwing at them. When God uses me to "feed" and "clothe" in this way, I feel tremendously blessed and thankful, for I feel that I have been working for Him, with Him, with my hand in His.

[Dr. Shane]

If we give time to the Lord as we should, He will work within us and bring forth a harvest af good works. We should spend an hour each day in prayer & meditation. Devide that in 3 and we have 20 minutes. 20 minutes in the morning. 20 minutes after work and 20 minutes before going to bed.

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" Isa. 55:10, 11

[Clio]

That's very true, Nico. Thank you for speaking to it. It's less tangible except to the one being fed and clothed. There is nothing more comforting than to realize one is not alone in a given situation.

And those who carry unseen scars in this area are often those most in need and least likely to receive the covering and spiritual nourishment they need so deeply.

Clio

[Clio]

Shane -

That's nice.

I can't even get through my prayer list in 20 minutes.

Clio