How to be Godly.

How to be Godly. Romans 12:9-21.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NKJV)

Paul, trying to win those Jews who rejected Christ, has extensively covered the subjects of grace, sin, Israel's history, and Israel's rejection of the gospel of the Messiah. In an attempt to gain them, his appeal has been perfectly laid out; yet Paul now turns that appeal to what it is to be a godly person. There is no greater judgment than our own actions and deep inside we know if we do good or we do bad; so Paul emphasizes what it is to be good.

If you call yourself a Christian, you take on the name that means "to be Christ like." Anything short of acting like a Christian is hypocrisy and inside we know when we have not represented well.

The same applies if you call yourself a Jew. The name Jew means, "A praise unto God." Anything short of acting in a way that praises God is also hypocrisy. Therefore, Paul takes us down the road of judgment in hopes that we look into our lives and see if our belief is in vain or if it is producing in us godly results.

There were great emulations between Jew and Christians. Christians had to be counseled continuously to have a good attitudes towards those Jews who sought to cause them harm. Christians also suffered at the hands of the Romans and between the two; it was easy to develop bitterness and hatred when being pursued for trying to do good.

Yet no matter what side of the table you were on, if both sides would look inside themselves to abhor what is evil and to cling to what is good, each would be at peace.

This applies to all situation where striving exists. The husband and wife who argue would stop if they sought what was good for themselves and others. Yet because of bias opinions, people declare their rights to be treated fairly and strife begins as each side interprets what is a right action based on selfish desires. No matter you situation, where strife replaces long suffering there is no godliness.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Romans 12:10-13 (NKJV)

Those of the Sanhedrin and of the Pharisees who pursued to find fault in Jesus definitely did not pursue him with brotherly love. They did not want to find good in Him, they only looked to discredit, accuse, and find fault to promote others to turn against Him.

All these things that Paul mentioned were lacking from the ways of those who killed Christ and the same can be said about those who sought to harm the Christians of the first church that Paul so dearly loved.

Again, this does not apply only to those outside of the faith of Christianity; it applies directly to those who lead the church, worshiped in the church, and all those who called themselves Christians.

If you were to take Paul's list of characteristic, mentioned in these verses, and hold yourself accountable in every relationship, good or bad, could you say to yourself that you meet all the criteria mentioned? Do you give honor to those you encounter and are you serving God by helping them to know God too?

Are you patient with those who oppose you and do you pray for them? These things that Paul mentions are the core attributes of what it is to be like Christ and they equally were commanded by God of the Jews. How can you be praise to God and have strife with others?

The greatest test that a person can apply to their life, to see if they are living godly, is the last two things mentioned, distributing your resources to others in need and being hospitable to everyone. Money, time, and possessions are hard enough to earn and enjoy yourself, let alone giving them away. Giving to others is the only way to experience what it is to be godly.

Weather you give your time, your money, your advice, or your affection, a person that gives must give without the desire to receive or the gift is in vain.

The same applies to hospitality; if you must force yourself to be inviting to others, then your actions are vain. God's hospitality welcomes all, no matter what they believe or what they have done. All are invited to know Him and none rejected.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14 (NKJV)

Christians never sought to take away from the Jew; they found the savior and wanted to share the wealth they gained with their countrymen and for that they were persecuted and cursed. The opposite of Godliness, treating people badly, is a self inflicted wound and the person who does this needs to be pitied.

Godliness finds good in all people; though the good may not be visible, it is very easy to find things that people could do that would be good for others and themselves. You might see a thief, but God could see a future security expert.

God looked at Saul, our writer who persecuted Christians, but had so much knowledge of the Jewish scriptures, manors, and customs that if he could be turned in the right direction, he could affect the world for righteousness.

Upon his conversion, God gave to Saul compassion, and forgiveness. Then changing his name to Paul, God sent Him on a mission to strengthen the church with the knowledge that he possessed. The man who cursed Christians became a leader of godliness.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12:15-16 (NKJV)

The Jews who pursued Christians would easily see their error if they would be kindly affectionate towards their countrymen who took the name Christian. Stopping the violence and sitting down to understand each other is a passionate gesture. It does not mean that you have to agree, but you can agree to disagree agreeably.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Romans 12:15-20 (NKJV)

Yet God wants more than people to disagree agreeably; He wants men and women to live at peace by finding the truth of salvation from sin. To the Jew, He started with sacrifice and a person would have to consider their actions, find their own faults, and bring them with the sacrifice in repentance.

Now He has sent His own Son to be a single sacrifice that will cover the sin of all men when they see their own faults and come to Him in repentance. Not much has changed and to understand this does not take intellectual people. Every person is able to understand the ways of peace, which is the way of God.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 (NKJV)

Leaving retribution and judgment in the hands of the Lord is the safest position for us to be in. No matter if your good is treated with disrespect, our good is ours to keep and judgment is Gods. It makes no sense for us to seek vengeance when all it does is tarnish our godliness, even if what we believe in is right.