October 17

"Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance."—1 Timothy 4:8, 9.

WE may notice several things with regard to godliness. Let us

EXPLAIN ITS NATURE. It includes a saving knowledge of the character of God; it brings us to the light, and informs the judgment while it renovates the heart, making us wise to salvation. It includes a firm reliance on the merits of the Son of God. A true and saving knowledge of God is always associated with implicit faith and entire confidence in Christ. It includes a cheerful obedience to the commands of God. Obedience is the test of love. If our knowledge of God is saving, and our faith in Christ is genuine, then we shall render a cheerful and ready obedience to the Divine commands. It includes a growing conformity to the image of God. A godly man is one who resembles God, and godliness is synonymous with godlikeness. It includes entire consecration to the service of God. We must render to him, not only the service of the lip, and the profession of the life, but the homage of the heart. Let us now

EXHIBIT ITS ADVANTAGES. It is universally profitable; it is so as to temporal things, because it enhances our enjoyment of them; while we are thankful for the gift, we delight in the giver.

It improves the state. Godliness raises its possessor from the lowest degradation to the most exalted honors; it finds him a slave immured in a dungeon, it knocks off his fetters, and pronounces him free; it finds him poor, and confers on him unsearchable riches.

It exalts the feelings. How debased are we by nature! how sensual and grovelling! But godliness produces a delightful change; it refines what is gross, and ennobles what is degrading; so that, instead of licking the dust like the serpent, we soar on high with the eagle towards the sun.

It dignifies the character. Those who are godly are the sons of God; they are the seed which the Lord hath blest, the lights of the world, the salt of the earth. Godliness attaches a dignity to every thing it touches; it gives the philosopher true wisdom, makes the man of science a practical man, and the wealthy and influential, liberal and useful to the cause of God; it makes the merchant more anxious to obtain the pearl of great price than temporal gains; it renders the poor man a happy man, and every one that receives it a great man.