As I prayed over this exposition, I asked God to bring the readers into a realm of understanding and Godliness that would supersede the power of our flesh. It's design is for all God’s people, regardless of their spiritual level. God’s people are to exemplify True Christian Character as did Christ. It ought not to be a burden to them to do so, it ought to be a natural reaction to the things that are going on in their lives every day. It ought to be natural to the Christian to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit no matter what the outcome of a calamity in their life. Sometimes God allows circumstances to come about in our lives which will be to our loss, just to let us know if we’re the Christian we should be. Carnal men should be able to see the difference between a Christian’s life and the lives of carnal men. That is the thrust/substance of True Godliness.

What is true Godliness? Am I a Godly person? Some think that because they go to church 3 times a week and tithe, and we ought to, that renders them Godly. Unfortunately, in the world’s eyes, it does, but not necessarily in God’s eyes. Godliness is God-like-ness, being like God as was Christ. Thinking like God, acting as God would act, responding to every question and temptation of life in a Godly manner. The words come easy here, but the action on them very difficult! I Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Since Christ was God come in the flesh, then our example is to be like Christ. To be Godly is to be Holy, of God, righteous, to live Holy before our family and the world; such should be the life of every Christian. Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Christ was obedient to the Word of God, whether written or spoken directly to Him on every point, and so should we be!

I Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Verse 1-2 here exhorts God’s people to count the leaders, in the local church, since they are “believing masters,” worthy of all honour, that the name of Christ be not blasphemed. So those who would have the pastor or teacher for lunch, would then according to our KJV 1611 Bible be blasphemers of God’s Holy Word. To refute something the man of God has preached by continuing to do that thing in our personal lives is to blaspheme God’s Word. There is an inherent danger in not doing what the preacher preaches or your teachers teach if they are “believing masters,” if they are Godly men/women and "rightly divide the Word of Truth" (II Timothy 2:15). That word inherent means there is an inherited danger to us; to blaspheme is to speak evil of, and when we speak evil of the pastor/teacher for giving us what God would have us learn in our Christian development, we bring upon ourselves the “Judgement of God.” You say, well, just how serious is it? It’s just as serious as God wants it to be, and His judgement will be swift and final!

II Samuel 12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. Even though David fasted and prayed all night, on the seventh day the child died.

Because of David’s sin, he gave great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, his child of Bathsheba died. God expects His people to live Godly lives before the enemies of the Lord (the world).

Some men want to be taught “easy things,” things which don’t place much responsibility on them as Christians, and some want the “meat of the Word,” to grow in Godliness as long as God gives them breath. If you’re of the latter mind set (and you should be), desiring the “meat of the Word,” you won’t have a problem with anything preached or taught from God’s Word, and you won’t have a problem “conforming” to its lessons/precepts. Those who desire the “meat of the Word” will spend time “in the Word.” If God per chance speaks to you about something in your life that is amiss through a lesson or sermon, ask Him to help you “fix it,” for to be willing to allow God to have His Way in our lives imparts a contentment, contentment to accept what God’s Word teaches, to do God’s will, which is the beginning of Godliness (I Timothy 6:6).

The only people who will be offended by what is taught from God’s Word are those who either don’t know the God of this Word, or those who have wondered so far from God, and are so carnal and miserable in their ungodly existence, they have refused to allow God to sanctify them to Himself. God’s Holy Word has many indicators which signal the Christian of his “standing with God/God-like-ness,” and the carnal man cannot understand them nor see them, for they are too busy with the affairs of this life (the flesh).

What you do daily in your life, Bible study/prayer, watch TV says much about your spiritual condition/growth and development. 1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. To think that because someone has studied and perhaps has a better understanding of Gods Word puts them upon a pedestal is a thing of the flesh, for the Godly man knows everything which is taught and understood is by the grace of God, and with meekness we present to you what God’s Holy Word teaches for your personal edification (to encourage you to spiritual development/sanctification). A teacher or pastor should never have a particular person in mind when they prepare or teach a lesson, but at the same time they have the personal sanctification of everyone at heart!

Colossians 1:9 along with Paul expresses God's will for us: For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him , and for Him : 17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

I Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

How is your profession before the witnesses who have crossed your path last week? Did they “see” Godliness in your life and did they “hear” Godliness from your lips?

II Timothy 3:5 gives us a admonition/warning of men/women who “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” God says of those around us who refuse to live Godly lives, be an example to them and in meekness live Godly lives before them, but mark them and turn away from them; if you spend much time with them, it will affect your testimony, and you will be drawn from Godliness toward their lifestyle; that of the world.

You can’t afford “spiritually speaking” to spend time with people who refuse to “dress right” or “act right,” in a Godly manner, for when you are seen “with them” the world sees you as being “of them” and it affects your testimony as well as drawing you to that same lifestyle.

How are we to live?

Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Exhortation to:

1) The Godly to pray with thankfulness for all men, but especially for those in authority. I Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2) Live Godly in this present world. Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

God protects the Godly from certain judgements. Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. I Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Bodily exercise profits a little in the physical realm, but Godliness profits now and in eternity.

Exhortation from:

Worldly wisdom to Godliness. I Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. I Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. The thrust of one’s life must be Godliness founded in the heart, not gain. Some men get so wrapped up in worldly gain and being successful, it becomes their god, and they envision it to be Godliness.

Character of the Godly Man/Woman

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
II Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
II Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
II Peter 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
II Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

May God help us to be ALL He created us to be "for His Glory!"