2 Peter 1:6
“and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness”
Peter is continuing on in his list of attributes of a mature christian. Today’s topic is godliness. I had an improper understanding of this from my youth. There was a somber arrogance about it. Wrong. It basically means to be christlike.
Jesus was the most genuine man to have lived. There were no attitudes or airs. One didn’t need to change to approach Him. We also are to be genuine. We aren’t to have attitudes or look down upon others. Nor do we need to feel pressured to comply with our majority culture.
Jesus loved everyone. We are to as well. The first ones that come to mind are “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). Jesus said in this passage that if you do a good deed for these, “you’ve done it unto ” Him. He prizes the lowly. These aren’t the popular or powerful. These are the socially awkward. It’s also the abrasive. Those that are difficult. Jesus goes to all corners of society to love all.
Jesus was a defender. The one’s Jesus had a difficult time with were those misrepresenting God, the pharisees. These were obstructing peoples path to The Lord. Who does this today? Unfortunately, quite a few. There are the academics and elites who belittle those of faith. We are to be loving, but point out error. Some friends were commenting on a show that was comparing a cool, hip new age mom to a restrictive, harsh “so called” christian mom. I pointed out that hollywood is biased against those of faith. Some were offended. I wasn’t rude. The correction wasn’t appreciated by all. I believe there were some present that received it. A seed was planted that would bear fruit later.
These are some examples of what it means to be godly, to be genuine, to be loving and to be a defender. Lord, help us to be godly.