THEME: LIVING BEYOND LIMITS
TOPIC: GODLY CHARACTER IN CONTEMPOARY TIMES
TEXT: 1 Pet 1:15, Matt 7:20, 1 Tim 4:7-8, 2:10, 3:16, 5:4, 6:3-6,11, 2 Tim 3:5, 12, 2 Peter 1:3-11, 3:11, Ps 1:1-3, 24:-3-6, 15:1-5, Micah 6:8, 1 Cor 6:19-20, Titus 2:12, Ps 4:3, 2 Cor 3:2-5, 7:1, Phil 1:27
INTRODUCTION
The church has a dual calling; to live in the world as light (Holiness) and not to conform to the world filled with gross darkness (Worldliness). We cannot preserve the holiness of God by escaping from the world nor can we sacrifice holiness by conforming to the world. Our calling is to be different from the world and can be expressed by GODLY CHARACTER. Walking in the truth (3 Jn 3-4, 2 Jn 4, Jn 8:44), Walking in the light (Jn 8:12, Matt 8:14, 1 Jn 1:5-6) and Holiness (wholeness) are vivid expression of Godliness or God-likeness. The acid test to prove your goodliness is in times like this (2 Tim 3:1(TPT), Dan 1:8, Gen 39:8-17).
POINT 1: DEFINITIONS
The manifestation of Godly character is born out of the life of God (Jn 1:12, 3:6-7).
- Godly character is the life of God in a Christian/disciple that is manifested in practice via lifestyle, conduct, attitude, conversation etc (1 Tim 4:12, 1 Pet 1:15, Gal 5:22-25).
- Godly character is the integration of your words, deed and action as one
- Godly character is dedication to the standards and principles of God in all things, at all times without wavering.
IS there a difference between bad character and worldliness?
Contemporary is someone or something living at the same time or in the same age as another. It also means current or present age.
POINT 2: Some Contemporary Issues and God’s Expectation from me
Some Contemporary trends are fast threaten our Christian faith and the ancient landmark handed down to us. Our response must be seen in our radical Godly character. (2 Tim 2:19).
- SECULAR and WORLDLY MUSIC: The world has deceptively advanced her philosophy on the difference between the duo. They assert that motivational, friendship and moral songs that are not filthy nor promoting nudity is secular whilst the other is worldly. Every song is either inspired by God or the devil. (1 Jn 2:15, Col 3:16, Eph 5:19, Rom 8:8, James 4:4).
- DRESSING: In times like this the difference between worldly and Christian dressing is confusing as the world is now seen in the church. Following the pattern of the fashion of this world makes us unfit for the kingdom we represent (Exo 2:15-19, Prov 7:10). Wrong mentality, foreign influence, peer pressures, spiritual influence from demonic agent and internet has dictated the dress culture among Christians. God’s standard on dressing is; Modesty, sobriety, shamefacedness (1 Tim 2:9), Male and female distinction (Deut 22:5, 1 Cor 6:9, 11:14-15), Acceptable covering (Gen 3:21, Exo 28:40)
- WORDS INFIRMITIES: Lies and Falsehood, character assassination, filthy communication, joking and jesting and unprofitable utterance has become the defining character of Christians. (Prov 17:27, 11:9, Col 3:8-9, 4:6, 2 Pet 2:6-7, Eph 5:3-4, Matt 12:36-37(TPT)
- MATERIALISM: This is the preoccupation with material things. The competition with worldly friends has led Christians to engage in gambling/betting, borrowing and living high ostentatious lifestyles. (Matt 6:19, Luke 12:15, Phil 4:11, 1 Tim 6:6). The human life is a pilgrimage between two moments of nakedness, it will be wise to travel light because we will leave everything behind. Human spirt cannot be satisfied with material things (Eccl 3:11, Matt 6:19-22, 25)
- HOMOSEXUALITY/SEXUAL PERVERSION: (Rom 1:26-27, Lev 18:22, 20:13, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Jude 1:7, Mark 10:6-9, Gen 19:1-11, )
POINT 3: THE NECESITY OF GODLY CHARACTER IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES
………”but godliness brings lasting benefits in everything, it contains the promise of life for time and eternity (1 Tim 4:8(TPT).
- Godly character marks and exempt you and your family from destruction (Gen 7:1, 19:15-20, Josh 7:24-26).
- Godly character impacts boldness, confidence and strengthens faith (Prov 28:1, 30:30).
- Godly character attracts God’s presence (Ps 24:3-7, Gen 39:2, Isa 57:15)
- Godly character is a weapon of defense (Ps 3:1, 34:19, Prov 18:10, Eph 6:14, Ps 25:21)
- Godly character provokes answers to prayer (Isa 59:1-2, James 5:16, Acts 3:12)
- Godly character is a medium for evangelism (Matt 5:14, 1 Pet 3:11, 2 Cor 3:2)
