Spiritual Growth / Godliness

  • Faith and the Law

    Hebrews 11:6

    We have a duty to do what is good, which means that we have a duty to do the right things for the right reasons. Although we should do right even when we are not motivated by faith and God ...Read More

  • Faith for Sanctification

    2 Peter 1:2-11

    We are to live our lives by faith in God. We are to let our roots grow deep into Him, trusting Him for all we need. We are to do all we can to grow in obedience, relying on Him ...Read More

  • Friends of the World

    James 4:4–5

    If someone were to look at your life and values would he say that you are a friend of God, or would he say that you are a friend of the world? Consider your relationships and ask yourself if the ...Read More

  • Godliness and Contentment

    1 Timothy 6:6-8

    One commentator says, “Godliness is not about acquiring better and more material things; it is instead an active life of faith, a living out of covenant faithfulness in relation to God, that finds sufficiency and contentment in Christ alone whatever ...Read More

  • Good Means for an Evil End

    1 Timothy 6:4b-5

    It is amazing how many people see the gospel as a way to prosper. Rank heresy guaranteeing a hundred-fold financial reward in this life for those who “name it and claim it” permeates the airwaves. Companies emblazon “Christianesque” slogans on ...Read More

  • Heavenly Wisdom

    James 3:17–18

    Even those with great faith sometimes feel like they are not very wise. However, we have seen that if true faith must manifest itself in good works then so too must godly wisdom be present even if this wisdom is ...Read More

  • Holiness and Godliness

    2 Peter 3:11–12

    We must not ever think that Peter’s call to hasten the day of the Lord through holy living means that the future is somehow unknown to the Lord or open to change for our God. However, we must also ...Read More

  • Honorable Conduct

    1 Peter 2:11–12

    What is your conduct like among non-believers? Are you a faithful witness of the God of Scripture to your neighbors or to your fellow employees? Or do you behave dishonorably before the world? Spend some time in prayer today, asking ...Read More

  • House of the Wise

    Proverbs 14:1; 31:10–31

    If you are a married woman, how committed are you to keeping the house, raising your children (if you have any), and caring for your husband? Discuss with your husband ways in which you can improve your efficiency within the ...Read More

  • Imitate Good

    3 John 9–15

    Whether we are in a position of authority or not, we all must be careful lest we try to place ourselves first. All too often our criticism of other people, especially Christian leaders, arises not from legitimate concerns but instead ...Read More

  • In Deed and Truth

    1 John 3:16–18

    As our income increases it becomes easier to spend the extra money on things we really do not need instead of using it to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and extend the Gospel. While we cannot set some kind ...Read More

  • Knowing God’s Will

    1 Thessalonians 4:1–12

    What is God’s will for my life? The simple answer is that His will for my life is that I be holy. This is easy to affirm with our lips, but it is very difficult to have it take ...Read More

  • Life Before Christ

    Colossians 3:7-8

    One commentator has said that “we should never confuse being moral with being Christian, but we cannot claim to be Christian if we ignore morality.” An outwardly upright life is not a sure sign that somebody knows Christ, but a ...Read More

  • Living in the Spirit

    Galatians 5:24–26

    Martin Luther offers the following application: God is no respecter of persons, and since all believers serve Him by the same faith with the same Spirit, the layman who faithfully uses the gift the Lord has given him pleases God ...Read More

  • Love Versus Death

    1 Corinthians 13

    When someone hurts or offends us, our reaction is usually to assume the worst possible motive in that person. But one application of the law of love is that we should give others the benefit of the doubt. How have ...Read More