THE RESTORING OF
GODLINESS
INTRODUCTION
The restoring of godliness is a must to those nations who have tasted the goodness of God but allowed the unfruitful works of darkness to surface.
There is an advancement of a social gospel which fails to identify sin; having withdrawn from the fullness of God's Adulterated (Pure) Word, to that which can be easily digested and does not interfere with desired lifestyles.
The Restoring of Godliness
A Great Awakening
It was noted that things which once would have shocked Christians are now commonplace. There is much that does not disturb the church like it once did. Many Christians have been lulled into believing all is well. There are small victories, a revival here, a church doing a good work there, but where is the moral outrage necessary to petition God for a new reformation or another great awakening?
Apostle Peter wrote: The time
is coming that judgment must began at the house of God; and if it first begin
at us, what shall be the end of them be that obey not the gospel of God? And if
the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear
(1 Peter 4:17-18)?
A Turning Away
Apostle Paul wrote: I marvel that you are so soon removed (turning away) from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel; which is not another, but there would be some that trouble you, and would (want to) pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7). It was noted that so soon removed can be translated so quickly deserting.
The Galatians were in the initial state of defecting to a different kind of gospel; other than that which had been previously taught. Apostle Paul responded with: As we (ministers of Christ) said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel to you than that you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:9). But I certify (make known), that the gospel which was preached of me is not after (according to) man. For I never received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12).
Weakened Spiritual
Decline
The restoring of godliness cannot take place with the church in a weakened spiritual decline; having a worldly state of mind, with appeasement and tolerance towards the sinful nature of man rather than reproving that which is abominable in the sight of God!
Apostle Paul wrote: The time will come when they (the church) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts (desires) they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious) (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
It was noted that preaching is the God-ordained means to prevent defection from the truth. Teachers who appeal to itching ears tell people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear.
Pulpit is Responsible
A legendary evangelist of the first Great Awakening, Charles G. Finney, noted: Brethren (addressing the church), our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours to a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it.
If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of Justice, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact; but let us lay it to heart, and awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.
World Cannot Receive
Jesus said: The Spirit of truth (God’s Spirit) whom the world cannot receive, because it sees (perceives) him not, neither knows him; but you (the believer) know him, for he dwells in you, and shall be in you (John 14:17). It was noted that we are entering a period of time; that not only the world cannot see (perceive) the Spirit of truth, but many in church have lost sight of Him as well.
Sometime prior to his death, General Booth of the Salvation Army uttered this significant prophecy: I consider the chief dangers that confront the coming century will be Religion without the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit), Christianity without God, and Heaven without Hell. Words of the past often come to fruition when the evidence of what has been revealed is received!
Imitate Devotion to
God
Godliness is defined as piety towards God and conduct which springs forth from a proper relationship with Him. It is not done from a sense of duty but that spontaneous virtue that comes from the indwelling of Christ that reflects Him. Apostle John wrote: He that says he abides in him (Christ) ought himself so to walk, even as he walked (1 John 2:6). It was noted that while no one can duplicate Jesus’ atoning ministry, believers are called on to imitate His devotion to God. The restoring of godliness requires such a walk.
Apostle Paul wrote: Put off concerning the former conversation (conduct) of the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new man (being born-again in Christ), which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Denying Ungodliness and
Worldly Lusts
The Psalmist wrote: Know that the Lord has set apart him that is godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call upon him (Psalm 4:3). Apostle Paul wrote: The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).
It was noted that we are in a crucial moment throughout Christian nations; which will it be Christian biblical values or totally secular values? Many today want secular values without reference to God. This gives a clear indication that there is a dire need towards the restoring of godliness; versus secular values, which pushes aside the Word of God.
Ungodliness in Electronic
Age
Ungodliness has become enhanced in our electronic age. We are seeing such rob nations of their moral and Christian heritage with a great need of restoring godliness in the land! Many are becoming desensitized or immune to the ungodly language of our day, with immoral portrayals of ungodly lifestyles condemned in God’s Word, being promoted as normal, healthy, and desirable; openly proclaimed with pride and no shame!
Prophet Jeremiah, speaking the word the Lord, asked: Were they (the people) ashamed when they had committed (allowed) abomination? No, they were not all ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore they shall fall among them that fall, at the time that I visit (punish) them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 6:15).
Profession of Our
Faith
Apostle Paul wrote: Let us (the righteous) hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (compromise) (Hebrews 10:23); for the just shall live by faith; but if any man drawback, my soul (God) shall have no pleasure in him (Hebrews 10:38).
I beseech (implore) you therefore brethren (the church), by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable (rational) service. And be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
It was noted that one is to resist being poured into the mode of the present day thinking, value system, and conduct of this world. The restoring of godliness will take strict adherence to God’s Unadulterated (Pure) Word!
Blind to the Truth
Apostle Paul wrote: Abhor that which is evil, cleave (cling) to that which is good (Romans 12:9). Many are turning God’s Word around by forsaking that which is good and cleaving that which is evil! Prophet Isaiah foretold of such a time: Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that but bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21)!
Which justify the wicked for reward (a bribe), and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him (Isaiah 5:23). Unless God intervenes, the restoring of godliness will not be acceptable to a world that has become blind to the truth!
Restoration Necessary
Apostle Paul wrote: If our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost (perishing); in whom the god of this world (Satan and his cohorts) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Paul spoke of restoration in saying: That they (those deceived) may recover (come to their senses) out of the snare of the devil (Satan and his cohorts), who are taken captive by him at (to do) his will (2 Timothy 2:26). The servant of the Lord, in meekness, instructing (correcting) those that oppose themselves (are in opposition); if God peradventure will give them repentance to (so they may know) the acknowledgement of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).
God's Promise of
Restoration
A fulfillment of the restoring of godliness is through the God’s promise to King Solomon, regarding the people of Israel, applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Failure to do so is also revealed: If you turn away, and forsake my statutes (Word of God), which I have set before you, and shall go and serve others gods, and worship them; then will I pluck you up by the roots of my land which I have given you (2 Chronicles 7:19). The choice lies with each nation, individual, as to a blessing or a curse. God’s words reflect a high expression of His readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people!
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