Godliness, with Good Works

From the beginning of time, as seen all throughout the Scriptures, God works miracles on man's behalf. God calls each of His children into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ for a life of godliness, with good works, as a testimony of His goodness to the world. However, it is by His own power that God works miracles in the lives of others as they come to trust and obey Him.

When the Apostles "Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer" (Acts 3:1), Peter healed a lame man saying, ""In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength" (Acts 3:6-7). The Apostle Peter immediately ensured the people who marveled at God's merciful act understood the source of the miracle was not them. It was not man, but God, who is still working wonders for His glory in the gospel of the kingdom of Christ.

The people were filled with wonder and amazement when they saw the lame man who was now walking and praising God. "So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:12-16).

In 1 Timothy 2:8-15, we see the Holy Spirit's desire is for God's people everywhere to be lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Modesty, with propriety and moderation is clearly pleasing to God. We see godliness with good works to be proper for God's people, along with learning Christ's ways in silence and full submission to His Lordship, while continuing in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. The Apostle Paul also states in 1 Timothy 2:2 God's people must strive to "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence," and this is accompanied with supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.

God's people who profess godliness are to be modest, with good works, in propriety and moderation. They are to lead a quiet and peaceable life. His people must be respectful towards national leaders and all who are in authority. They must live in all godliness and reverence, as a testimony to the mystery of godliness which is the gospel message and revelation of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

Godliness with good works is a necessary manifestation of true faith in the life of a believer. Most importantly, the revelation of God's own godliness comes to others as His people live lives worthy of His gospel. "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 Timothy 3:16).

What God desires to have in operation in His kingdom requires the faithfulness of each individual believer. As examples of good and godly works, we can look to 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 13. We see some were called to be apostles, and others to be prophets; some are teachers; some work miracles; some have gifts of healing; some speak in tongues while some interpret; and all are called by the gospel of Jesus Christ to live lives of faith, of hope, and especially of love.

"His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3).