Precisely on April 2, 2021, while on road walk I felt wondering why God related very intimately with the Patriarchs to the extent He talked with Moses face to face. The thought spread to why could God related with these Fathers of faith who had neither record of being born again nor had Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It baffled me as such intimate relationship between God and Christians these days is not that revealing. The answer I stumbled upon is that “The difference is with godliness and Christianity.” We are starting another series of devotional, dealing with differences between godliness and Christianity.At a glance, the terms seem alike as one would hastily conclude that every Christian is a godly person. At a critical analysis, one will discover that there is startling difference between godliness and Christianity.
The Greek word for godliness is “Eusebeia”. This word relates to a real, true, vital, and spiritual relation with God. The word Christianity is derived from Greek word “Christianos” meaning followers of Christ. We can say Christianity connotes the group that follows Christ, the “anointed one”. People subscribing to Christianity are called Christians. These are supposed to be people known for godliness going by the godliness of Christ. We in this group supposed to be the holiest and godliest, if we keep to the virtuous life of our Master, Jesus Christ. These days, we claim being Baptised with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. What need to be questioned, however, is the level of our godliness. It will not be wrong to say some Christians are turning Christianity to religion these days. The Greek word for religion is “Threskeia” which means outward acts of religious observances or ceremonies which can be done in the flesh. This is where we are these days, supposedly.
We Christians, to me, are supposed to be hearing clearly from God, having personal and intimate relationship with God that we can engage God, talking with Him face to face as if talking with our friend. This was possible in those days but not now. This devotional wants the readers to approach this discussion subjectively without what church doctrine has taught in the past. We Christians have turned Christianity from what it was meant to be. We are full of giving God lip services and leaving our hearts empty of His honour and majesty. Many of the acclaimed “Born again Christians” tagged some Christians as Orthodox and therefore, condemned their doctrines and dismissed them as genuine Christians. Some of these Christians believe the like of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the Old Testament Prophets and others of ancient days will not make heaven. Question here is “what makes one to earn heaven?” Is it profession of being Christ’s followers or being godly with God and Jesus Christ. Hold your breath if not getting clearance here. The second part of this devotional will expatiate on godliness versus Christianity in depths, God’s willing.
PRAYERS:
1. O God my Father, sincerely speak to me through the Holy Spirit to know exactly what I am practicing, whether it is mere Christianity or godliness.
2. Holy Spirit of God, enlighten the understanding of my heart to discover what is godliness and Christianity in Jesus name.
POSITIVE CONFESSION:
Let the Word of the Lord be a lamp to my feet as from today, O Lord!
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch