S.S.S. Study Christian Character traits week 3

S.S.S. Study Christian Character Traits
Family School at Faith Baptist Church
Week 3: Godliness

Simple definition: Godliness is showing forth the attributes of God in ones own life, trying to be/behave like God, "he is a godly man, she made a godly decision."

In order to figure out how to be Godly or practice Godliness we must simply study the character of God. Just as a young boy studies and observes the behavior of his father and often becomes "like" him, the more we look to Gods example the better our ability to make Godly choices will be.

So what is it to be Godly? What are things God does or is that we can try to emulate?

Is Love: 1st John 4:7-11, also John 3:16
Is Honest: Matthew 23:27, John 8:44-47
Over and over again Jesus Christ prophesied concerning Himself and His church and all of the things He said came to pass. (The truth is always best especially concerning the gospel even though it may be unpopular, Galatians 4:16.)
Is merciful: John 8:1-11 (note: He still told her to "sin no more".)
Is graceful: John 1:14-17, 2nd Corinthians 8:9
Is Truth: We are not truth but we can know and speak it, John 14:6, Psalm 86:11
Does righteousness: Psalm 50:6, 97:6, 98:2, 111:3, Romans 3:25-26, Matthew 6:33
Does just judgement: Romans 3:23,6:23, Psalm 19:9, Revelations 20:11-15
(this is prophesy, meaning it isn't past its future you could end up here!)
Side note: Revelations 20:10, isn't that a blessing!
Does forgive: Matthew 9:2-6, Ephesians 1:7

There are many other things which God is all of which should be the goal of the true believer to live by in order to be Godly, just in case you believe that you are all those things listed above, love, honest, merciful, graceful, truth, righteous, a just judge, and forgiving, let's look at just a couple more Godly things.

Holy: Not holier than thou, but as holy as God,
1st Peter 1:15-16 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16    Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Consistent: Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Ephesians 4:14, James 1:14-15
Bold: John 8:44-47, John 14:6
Despised and rejected of men: Isaiah 53:3, John 15:18-25, Mark 13:13
Burdened for the lost: 1st Timothy 2:3-4, John 12:32, 2nd Peter 3:9
Does it break your heart that people go to a real eternal Hell everyday? Does it matter to you that many people you meet are on their way there now? If you believe the Bible than you believe in Hell, eternity, punishment, and that Christ is the only escape but you may have grown dull to the urgency of this dying worlds condition, you may choose not to dwell on the soul state of those around you because you don't want to picture them in Hell. If we will allow God to burden our hearts again for the lost, then, only when we picture them in eternal flame, will we be adequately motivated to pull them out.

What areas of Godliness could use some work in your life? Are you forgiving, consistent, bold, just, burdened for the lost? Don't just consider your weaknesses, act upon making them stronger.