2021.08.15 - What Does It Look Like To Be Godly

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-15 Opening Statement: No greater compliment can be paid a Christian than to refer to him or her as a godly person. What does it mean to be godly? What does it look like to be godly? Do we have to live in a monastery to be godly? I) What does godliness mean? (1 Cor. 10:5-7) Godliness is taking God seriously. The heartbeat of the godly person is the desire to respect and reverence the things of God. This does not mean they are always serious minded without a lighter side. They enjoy life because they enjoy the Creator of life. Our churches should be overflowing with godly men and women. But are they? All too often, we walk down the same paths of carnality as these ancient Hebrews. We make light of what we should honor. We wink at what we should weep about. We play with what we should take quite seriously. Do you take God seriously? If you do, you are well on your way to godliness. II) How does one know if they are godly? How do you know if you are taking God seriously? How do you know if you are radiating the glow of godliness? People who take God seriously exhibit certain traits: A) Thirst for God If we want to be godly, we must long for God. David was such a man. (Psalm 42:1-2). Intensity for God is the heartbeat of a godly person. Godliness doesn't come by sitting passively by doing nothing or by waiting for it to drop in your lap. It requires hard work, enduring perseverance, and a continued effort. The godly person is content in their relationship with God, but never satisfied with the present position. They always yearn for more. Are you pursuing God? B) Focus on God The pursuer of godliness focuses attention on God in all things. The trouble and tragedy of modern man is that we tend to divert our focus away from God. It is quite possible to become an idolater. An idol is anything that draws our attention and adoration away from God. (1 Tim. 4:7-8 & 1 Tim. 6:6, 10-11). Paul correctly addresses the problem of most 21st century Americans. The age of physical fitness and monetary