COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

REVEALING THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

In his second epistle, Peter outlined some progressive steps that lead toward maturity.  Check out these steps in II Peter 1:3-11.  Peter’s counsel is to cyclically, repetitively, walk through these steps.  For so (in so doing) an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sandwiched between perseverance and brotherly kindness is the attribute, godliness.

Godliness is an achievable core value and lifestyle that was manifested in Jesus, the firstborn among many brothers.  He persevered with all kinds of people with all kinds of attitudes and all kinds of theology.  His perseverance translated into brotherly kindness that was so evident that He found great favor among tax collectors and winebibbers.  He was known as a friend of publicans.

The God who abides in us (the hope of glory) is no respecter of persons.  It is ungodly to value one person above another.  We must persevere in our commitments to see beyond race, religion, denomination, doctrine, culture and politics. 

Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness:

(1) God was manifested in the flesh,

(2) Justified in the Spirit,

(3) Seen by angels,

(4) Preached among the Gentiles,

(5) Believed in the world,

(6) Received up in glory. – I Timothy 3:16.

The mystery of godliness is revealed as He is manifested in our flesh.  He is manifested in our flesh as we (a) add to our faith virtue, (b) to virtue (revelation) knowledge, (c) to knowledge self-control, (d) to self-control perseverance, (e) to perseverance godliness, (f) to godliness brotherly kindness, and (g) to brotherly kindness love (II Peter 1:5-7).

II Peter 1:3-11, offers us an orderly discipline for growing into fruitfulness.

I Timothy 3:16, offers us a pattern for revealing the mystery of godliness.

I should warn you that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (II Timothy 3:12).  Perseverance comes through tribulation (Romans 5:3).  We develop in true godliness as our faith is proven in the midst of various trials (James 1:2-4). 

Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him – Heb. 5:8-9.

Jesus wants you to get outside your box so that He may be manifested in your flesh, and this mystery of godliness may be revealed through you.

Grow by going.  You can only grow so far in a religious vacuum!