2 Peter 1:5-6 (ESV)
⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfast-ness with godliness,

Godliness has to do with having the right attitude toward God. Vine says that godliness “denotes that piety which is characterized by a God-ward attitude and does that which is well-pleasing to Him.” This definition brings out the two main elements of godliness.

• Godliness begins with the right attitude.

Being godly starts with having a reverent mindset. This makes up a large portion of Christianity. Without having a godly heart, living godly is impossible, which makes growing spiritually impossi-ble as well. On the other hand, when one is godly, not growing is just as impossible. Through the avenue of prayer, David gives us a great example of what godliness sounds like.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (ESV)
10 Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule overall. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand, it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

• Godliness ends with the right action.

Vine says that godliness, not only has a God-ward attitude, it also “does that which is well-pleasing to Him.” Having the proper reverence for God will always result in a manner of living that demonstrates it. As Jesus said, “…every healthy tree bears good fruit” (Matthew 7:17). If a tree is not bearing good fruit, there is something wrong with the tree, even if it is not immediately no-ticeable to the eyes. The word bears is a present active verb indicating ongoing action. A bad tree might bear good fruit for a short period of time, but soon it will begin to produce bad fruit. With a good, healthy tree the opposite is true. It will bear good fruit the majority of the time.

In our Lord’s illustration, the tree represents the heart of man and its fruit represents his behavior. Good hearts produce good behavior the majority of the time, which, spiritually, leads to an upward trajectory. That is good for us now, as well as in the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)
⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Paul told Timothy to pursue godliness (1Timothy 6:11). That is good instruction for all of us; however, godliness is not something that comes naturally; it comes through determination. That is why Peter said we must add it to our faith diligently (2 Peter 1:6). Let us put forth the effort to be godly. The reward is well worth it.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.