Growth in Conduct
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. 1 Tim. 3:16 NKJV.
Many belivers erroneously assume that the more we grow spiritually, the better we will look to others. The truth is, the more we grow in Christ, the better God looks to others.
Paul speaks of the “mystery of godliness”as a series of truths about the Savior. In the same spirit, John the Baptist said, “Christ must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). To put it in simple terms, the truth of “who John is” must issue ultimately in their truth about who Jesus is.
Practical,personal godliness might be called truth on display, Jesus being the Truth (John 14:6). The Father’s goal for our lives is to grow us up to be like His Son—to conform us to Christ’a image (Rom.8:29).
As our lives tell the truth about God, people who do not know Him will be drawn to faith as they see what He is really like. Godliness is conduct consistent with the character of Christ. Growing in our relationship with God is becoming more and more like Jesus.
Tomorrow: Growth in Glorifying God.
