Godly Men and Women
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What really describes this kind of man is the adjective that precedes the word man, “Godly.” To facilitate an understanding of this it is required of me to explain to you what I mean. In the English grammar, we are very well familiar with the suffix “ly,” meaning that whatever precedes these two letters, indicate that the subject behaves in a manner that describes or characterizes the adjective. For example, in our Christian vocabulary, we are familiar with the word “worldly.” Immediately we begin to associate things with the ways or behavior of the secular society. Take for example again, the phrase “a ghostly appearance.” This indicates the appearance of the subject as behaving in a manner a ghost would, If we can imagine that.
by Marcus van der Neut
The phrase “godly man” should describe every man who is born again by the Spirit of God or named a child of God. If you have understood the explanation in the previous paragraph, then you are well on your way to understanding the definition of a “godly man.” Let’s try this definition. “A man behaving in a manner that is characteristic of God, or in a manner that God Himself would. Then we can add some words or phrases to elaborate on that definition.
I would like to emphasize further, that we should not confuse being a Christian with being godly. When the apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:3, that God has given to all things that pertain to life and godliness, he was not saying that God gave us all things that pertain to being Christians. He meant precisely godliness. I must stress that as being godly is directly referenced to the person of God, including His character and attributes. Our definition of a godly man however transcends any definition of just a man being a believer. The precise goal is godliness and that is a higher standard than the mediocrity attached to being Christians in our world today.
From the creation of the earth, God created man, and in particular the male, to behave on earth as He Himself behaves in heaven. Inherent within the man was everything needed to accomplish that task. Let’s imagine a bit if you will a few phrases. Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, authority, power, strength of character, compassion, initiative, productivity, purpose, leadership skills, fatherhood, provider, holiness, intercession, unrestrained worship, a spokesman for God, a minister, a servant, an administrator, and the list can go on and on.
When we hear the phrase a godly man, our minds should not be limited to thinking “a man who is born again”, but should be allowed to touch the borders of all that defines behaving in a manner like God. God has never at any time reneged on His desire for the caliber of men He desires to walk the face of the earth. The earth needs to be constantly reminded of the existence of the only true and living God. The fall of man because of sin should not be an excuse to exempt ourselves from that duty but a challenge in spite of it. God still does need that kind of representation in the earth today.
If we consider carefully God’s desire for the afore-mentioned for a moment, consider how He represented Himself in some different forms to man, before the coming of Christ. He represented Himself in form like the burning bush, the pillar of fire, the cloud, and an angel. Every form conveyed a different aspect of His character. He also represented Himself in the form of His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus declares in the gospel of John, chapter 5 verse 19b, “whatever the Father does the Son does in like manner.” This statement can single handedly qualify the statement, that “a godly man behaves in a manner like God.”
Godliness must be the characteristic of every behavior of the believing male. Every human role that he assumes must have the attributes of the divine nature that he has been made to partake of, and must be able to express those attributes freely. Every aspect of people ministry geared towards men within our local churches must also be suited to both model and produce men of such high value and standards.
Godly manhood is defined in a man’s approach to God. He must see God as the source of the principles and values from which he produces behaviors. He must be able to understand the precise meaning behind words like “the ways of God,” not as some biblical phrase, but the hidden energy that shape his thoughts and allow him to process every earthly and spiritual frequency with such accuracy, that he can allow other human being to use God as a reference point for his eventual action. He is godly in his manner of doing things on the earth. He produces works like God. The result of everything that he does affects his human counterpart with immense profundity.
The godly man responds to the aggression of earthly frequencies on his person with grace, strength and absolute power and is by no means reconfigured by the aggression of the spirit of the age on his life. In that context, he possesses immutability like God. He does not fear troublesome times. He is full of confidence in the words spoken by God without having to see any earthly evidence of it for him to believe. His emotions as well kept in check but the principles of the Spirit. He emotions are subject to the Spirit by which he is led. His spirit, soul and flesh are thoroughly governed, as the words of the Lord are commands to him.
Let us as men not just read about godly men, but aspire to be godly men, providing God with accurate representation here on earth. Let our very existence be bold and resounding statements of God’s presence in the earth. Let the form that God manifests Himself in, in our day and time be us, the godly men of the 21st Century.
Godly Women
(Kent E. Heaton Sr.)
Role models are very important for our day and time as much as there has always been. The power of influence possesses us from birth and we emulate so much of what is around us. In our families we become much as those we are associated with and the values held by our peers many times become embedded in our own character.
In pausing to reflect upon the influence of the woman, a call is sent forth for the influence of godly women. As the hand that rocks the cradle rules the hearts of those who rule the world, so the power of the godly woman will help to mold and build a better world for all mankind.
In the creation of man, God recognized that it was not good for him to be alone. He needed someone to complete him and ensure the continued blessing of creation. When God brought the woman to Adam, the completeness of creation was evident. Through the creation of the woman, a powerful force of influence was introduced upon mankind.
The influence of the woman was tempered by the need of being a godly influence. The godly woman is one who brings the essence of kindness, piety and holiness into the world about her. Paul expressed this attribute in 1 Timothy 2:10 - "which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." It is evident by her actions that she is the example of a godly woman.
Titus was instructed to teach sound doctrine for the older women to teach the younger women the importance of their influence as godly women. "The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things - that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." (Titus 2:3-5) The godly woman is the example of reverence and holiness in their character and in their work.
Women who strive to be godly will not be loud, boisterous or clamorous. They will possess the characteristic of Peter's writing in 1 Peter 3:3-4 - "Do not let your adornment be merely outward -- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel -- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." What is important (precious) in the sight of God is what is in the inside of the woman. Godly women possess the quiet spirit of meekness and gentleness.
Peter gives Sarah as an example of a godly woman as she trusted in God, submitted to Abraham and was called a "holy woman." The example of the godly woman is shown in "chaste conduct accompanied by fear ...but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,." (1 Peter 3:2; 1:15) Examples of godly women can be found in Ruth, Esther, Mrs. Noah, Mary the mother of Jesus, Dorcas, Lydia, Phoebe and a host of others who stand as examples of holy living.
Through the work of godly women who are seeking to present themselves as holy women of God in the relationship of daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and child of God, the world can become a better place. From the hand of godly women we can see a power to change the course of history. "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies ... many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:10,29,30)
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