Friday, October 5, 2007

Post hiatus: Godliness vs unwholesomeness Pt. 1

Well after a bit of time not posting, I'd better get stuck into our next foundational Scriptures from 1 Timothy 6. There's quite a bit to pack into this one, but it'll be a lot healthier than some things people sink their teeth into.


1 Timothy 6:1-8
"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them], because they are brethren; but rather do [them] service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

Mmm that's a lot of Word to digest.

You really can't break it down a whole lot, otherwise the context in which the godliness applies is somewhat lost.

First we have an issue of Christian slaves having the right attitude towards their masters as part of exercising godliness. It is interesting that the reason given for this is to deprive men of an excuse to blaspheme God and the truth...I believe this is one of the keys to understand why a Christian needs to live a godly life - so people can't use our actions to speak ill of God and Christianity.

Then there is the verse on treating Christian masters without despise, which is an interesting idea that I will have to explore in more depth in another post.

We also see some of the characteristics of people who reject wholesome words, the words of Christ and godly doctrines: pride, lack of knowledge, obsession with questions and debates over words, envy, strife, blasphemy, evil thinking, perverse, disputing, corrupt and without truth.

"Supposing that gain is godliness" I can't help but think of the prosperity gospel when I see this verse. An interesting note here that gain should not be counted for godliness, but that godliness is indeed great gain when coupled with contentment. It is funny how easily we can get things around the wrong way, including issues pertaining to godliness.

And to counter the pretensions of materialism, the Word of God instructs us to be content with what we have in life, specifically food and clothing, since as it is often put "you can't take anything with you". So it is interesting for us to see that we are required to develop a contentment for the very basics of life to complement the pursuit of godliness...

See you in Pt. 2

No comments: