2 Peter 1:6  “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness.” KJV For godliness, other translations say piety. Strong’s defines piety as holiness. The way it is used in other places seems to mean that godliness is religion. We might have to look at it from the other side, ungodliness. We can sure figure out what that is.

Basically piety, holiness, godliness means to be holy like God. If we are supposed to add this to our patience, it gives us a whole new attitude and motivation. We want to be just like God. Is it possible? After we work on all the previous attributes, our being like God is bound to start showing. There are certainly people in the world who are patient, loving and kind, but it takes more. It takes the knowledge and excellence of Jesus Christ that we are learning to live by.

St. Paul says in Second Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” KJV Perfecting holiness. There are groups of Christians that call themselves “holiness.” Living a holy life according to some of them means rules that fall mainly on the female adherents, including the wearing of dresses instead of pants, long hair (some have never cut their hair in their lives), and not wearing makeup and jewelry. Some of them forbid the men to wear rings, neck chains, tie pins and watches.

They certainly stand out in the world around us. And they have scriptures to back them up. But without judging or criticizing, and with all due respect, does it keep them from sinning? “Perfecting holiness,” like St. Paul speaks of, has to be built on the fruits of the Spirit. We also define holiness as being set apart for service to God. Whatever we do or try to do according to the will of God, we want to clean up our lives from “all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” We have heard that “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

We can also work so hard at not doing ungodly things that we forget all about just being godly. We can get bogged down in our focus at avoiding the ungodly actions that we don’t relax and just let the holiness flow by the Holy Spirit. We need to add some more virtue and knowledge bricks to our wall. Before long we will see the change. We will reap the harvest of godliness as our self-control and patience increases. It all flows and grows together.

1 Peter 1:15-16  “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” KJV He also says in the Amplified version, First Peter 2:4-5  “Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. [Psa_118:22; Isa_28:16]  [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. “(Amplified Classic)

Other people’s walls are also growing and will meet up with our own. We want to give “all diligence” to make our wall straight and strong, and give support to those around us. We are the “living stones” being built into the spiritual temple of God. Thank You, holy Lord, for keeping us strong as we strive to take our place in the house You are building for Yourself. We want to do our part in the place You have chosen for us and be just like You. Amen.