SEARCHLIGHT
Are you good or are you Godly?
SCRIPTURE
But - When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings, so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. Titus 3: 4-8 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
God has identified 5 FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS TO BUILD YOUR LIFE ON. They are key to you discovering a life that will be pleasing to God and productive for the sake of others. Never forget. What you believe in your heart is making you what you are. You need to ask yourself these questions, “What do I believe? What is making me who I am? What am I building my life upon?”
Today’s above Scripture focus identifies the 5th foundational pillar. Please be reminded that the first 4 pillars are identified in the previous 2 devotionals. Here is a quick overview:
Pillar #1 - Salvation is needed by all and is only provided by Jesus Christ. See 1 Timothy 1:15. This pillar focuses on your personal relationship with your Creator. It tells you how much God loves you by sending Jesus, His Son, to earth to die for your SALVATION.
Pillar #2 - Accepting God’s assignments by aspiring to serve Him leads to experiencing the highest quality of life. See 1 Timothy 3:1. This pillar focuses on your purpose and capabilities. It tells you how important it is for you to use your abilities not just so you can live but to honor God in Christian SERVICE.
Pillar #3 - Nothing is ever lost by sharing the Gospel and suffering for Jesus Christ because real hope only comes from God. See 1 Timothy 4:9,10. This pillar focuses on your calling by God to share and suffer for the Good News. It tells you the hope God gives you is always worth more than any SACRIFICE.
Pillar #4 – Unconditional commitment to Jesus Christ brings unbelievable blessings. See 2 Timothy 2:11-14. This pillar focuses on your commitment to Jesus Christ and the blessings that follow. It tells you how accomplished your life will be by living a life of 100% SURRENDER.
In Paul’s letter to Titus, he identified the 5th foundational pillar. Like Timothy, Titus was a young pastor of a church filled with people who had personally come to know the living God by making Jesus Christ their Savior and Lord. Now these young believers were wanting to learn how to live a Christian life. Here is the overriding thought Paul stressed.
Pillar #5 – Doing good does not make you right with God but doing good shows you are right with God. See Titus 3:4-8. The world needs Godly people not just good people. Being good does not mean being Godly. But being Godly will lead someone to doing good. Goodness may be the next best thing to Godliness, but it is not Godliness. Only personally knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will make someone Godly. Doing good deeds can be motivated by self-righteousness. However, living a Godly life is a good life because of Christ’s righteousness. You can be good without God, but you cannot be Godly without being good. Goodness does not earn you God’s favor. God’s favor comes from God’s grace. Receiving God’s grace will cause you to be devoted to doing good.
God wants you to build your life upon this foundational pillar. It is key to living a life that will be pleasing to Him and productive for the sake of others.
Pillar #5 focuses on you desiring to be Godly rather than just being good. It tells you how God longs for you to be a sincere, genuine believer living a life empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT.
All 5 foundational pillars are key to you discovering what Jesus described as abundant life. [John 10:10] Will you live your life to its fullest? Will you long to be pleasing to God and productive for the sake of others. Never forget. What you believe in your heart is making you what you are. You need to ask yourself these questions, “What do I believe? What is making me who I am?”
SOMETHING TO DO
How can you allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to lead a Godly life that will express goodness to people? What steps do you need to take to see this happen every day?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord God, I bow in Your presence knowing my goodness means nothing in comparison to Your grace, mercy, and lovingkindness. As the Bible says, you have given me new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. May any good I do in my lifetime reflect Your grace, mercy, and lovingkindness. Daily empower me to be Godly and not just good. AMEN!