“Unprecedented Times” – Exercise towards Godliness

​It is no denying that we are living in “unprecedented times”, or is that what those who lack knowledge would want us to believe. If you are a believer, with an intimate relationship with the Father through His Son Yeshua (Jesus), and a disciple of His word, you know that there is nothing new under the sun. Don’t be naïve and or be fooled into believing that there is not a pattern established to govern life’s challenges. If you are willing to know and seek the truth you will find the answers to all life’s problems and promises etched in the word of God.

Ecclesiastes 1: 9-10 (NKJV) “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us.”

More than ever we need to adhere to the words of admonishment the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4: 7b-8, WEB).

The world (society/ culture) will tell you that we are living in unprecedented times but let us not be deceived. The word of God declares as it was in the days of Noah so will it be in the end. The days of Sodom and Gomorrah has been and is upon us. Paul also told Timothy, the Spirit expressly says in the last days many will turn away from the faith, heeding to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speak lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience snared with hot iron, forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth (1 Timothy 4:1-3). 

Let us not be caught in blame game as did Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden about what is happening around us but let our concern be about how to respond in light of what is happening. We are called to be children of light, not of darkness therefore our response to “unprecedented times” should be different from the ways of the world. Our response should be that of godliness. Godliness has value in every area of our lives. Godliness brings life even in a dead situation. Paul tells Timothy to exercise toward godliness, it tells me that demonstrating godliness is not always easy but the more we endeavor to exercise (practice) to do things according to God’s way it will become easier.

At first, when we start to exercise our body our muscles will be weak, and they will hurt because they are doing things that they are not used to doing but after awhile our muscles are able to withstand the pressure we put on them. Likewise, demonstrating godliness at first might be difficult for our spiritual muscles. This is why we need the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 6: 22-23) active in our lives. When we rely on the Holy Spirit we are able to exercise godliness even in a difficult situation. It is by the Spirit that we are able to put to death ungodly practices (Romans 8:13). Paul even said that he disciples his body and brings it into subjection so that when he preached to others he may not become unworthy or disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).

We can believe and preach the Gospel unto we are blue in the face so to speak but unless we put into practice what we know and preach then we make the word of God of no effect. You might want to ask yourself, “am I exercising toward godliness in my life, or am I living as a child of darkness.”

I leave you with these final words from the Apostle Paul, to encourage you in your pursuit to exercise towards godliness.

Roman 8:39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Shalom!
​Natalee