Revealing the mystery of your godliness: 1 Timothy 3:16

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Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
I made a horrible mistake. For the longest time I thought godliness was something that came from me. Godliness, one dictionary will tell you, is a piety by virtue of being a godly person, or having a righteousness by virtue of being pious, or devout, or reverent. Therefore, if I am pious; therefore, if I am doing something righteous; therefore if I am being reverent, then I am living a godly life, the dictionary will tell you.

Apparently, the people who wrote the definition haven't read the Bible. God has revealed a mystery to us here: Godliness isn't something you do. Godliness is something God does through you.

Listen to the words of Timothy, again, as God reveals the mystery.
  • The mystery of godliness is Jesus was manifested in the flesh (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35);
  • The mystery of godliness is Jesus was vindicated by the Spirit (Matthew 3:16; Acts 10:37-38; Hebrews 9:14; Romans 8:10);
  • The mystery of godliness is Jesus was seen by angels (Mark 1:13; Luke 22:43);
  • The mystery of godliness is Jesus was preached among the nations (Matthew 24:14, 28:18-20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8);
  • The mystery of godliness is Jesus was believed on in the world (Romans 10:13; Acts 2:41; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 1:8-9);
  • The mystery of godliness is Jesus was taken up in glory (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9).

Where does that say you do something? In fact, where does it say that you ever do anything that is pleasing (like pious reverence) in the sight of God? Boiling down Timothy's message, we have: The mystery of godliness is believing in someone (Jesus) you have not seen or touched or heard or smelled. Godliness comes (from God) through your belief in God's work, not your own (Eph. 2:8-10).

Godliness (believing in Jesus) is indeed genuine reverence toward God (1 John 5:1-5; John 3:14-15; Romans 10:9) because, then, no one can boast. Godliness (believing in Jesus) is a blessed hope (Hebrews 11:1; Titus 2:13). Godliness is having the faith and knowledge of hope that we will be saved (Titus 1:9), because all who believe in their heart that Jesus was raised from the dead will be saved (Romans 10:9).

Godliness (believing in Jesus) comes through the seed of faith sown by God (Mark 4:1-20). As that seed of faith, that seed of believing in Jesus, takes root, we discover that our new found godliness (believing in Jesus) gives us peace (1 Timothy 2:2). Godliness (believing in Jesus) with contentment (that we are saved) is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it. (1 Tim 6:6-7)

Godliness (believing in Jesus) is the ultimate gift.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
I realize a great mystery has indeed been revealed: Jesus is godliness, and our godliness comes in our belief of Jesus. We aren't godly because of anything we do; the Holy Spirit, who makes our bodies his temple, gives us godliness, not because of something we can do. The Holy Spirit gives us godliness as we believe, as we allow Him to water our faith in worship, as we allow Him to weed our faith in prayer, as we allow Him to enrich our lives with his bountiful Word.

The mystery of godliness is great indeed. Hear the word (Romans 10:17), study it, pray it, everyday, so you too can believe.

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