Our world is filled with ungodliness. The apostle John wrote, "we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19). It seems that our world is much like that of the description given of the world in Noah's day. The Bible says the earth was "corrupt" and "filled with violence" (Genesis 6:12-13). God calls men, women, and young people today through the gospel of Christ to godly living. As Christians, we must be concerned with godliness not only in the world, but also in our own lives as individuals. We must go back to the Bible to know how to live godly lives.

Following His teachings regarding what we commonly call "the beatitudes," Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13) and "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). We all know the influence that salt has in our food. If it is not there, we know it right away. Food just tastes better when it is properly salted. The importance of light is seen when we are stumbling around in the darkness to turn on the light. Light is wonderful! In likening us to "salt" and "light," Jesus was speaking about the influence and impact we are to have upon the world for Him. Whether we like it or not, we all have an influence on others! Our influence will either draw people to Jesus or turn them away from Him. It all depends upon whether our influence is good or bad. Influence is so powerful that, even after we die, our influence lives on. It is said of Abel's faithful example, "he being dead yet speaketh" (Hebrews 11:4b). Are you exerting a positive influence for Christ upon others?

Because we are recipients of the grace of God, the apostle Paul admonishes us that "we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:12). To live "soberly" denotes soundness of mind. We must "keep" our "heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). To live "righteously" we must live in harmony with God's will revealed in His divinely inspired Word. We must do what is right to be righteous. To live "godly" means to have a God-ward attitude. A godly person lives with the motivation of doing what is pleasing to God. The Bible reveals the way of godliness.

Ultimately, to live godly we must look to Jesus as our example. Jesus was sinlessly perfect! (cf. Hebrews 4:15). Who better to follow? To follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we must think as He thought. Jesus' mind was one of humility, service, and complete obedience to His Father's will regardless of the cost (cf. Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus' motto was "I do always those things that please him" (John 8:29). To follow in Jesus' footsteps we must live as He lived. John wrote, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (1 John 2:6). The Bible says of Jesus, "who did no sin" (1 Peter 1:22). The reason Jesus did not sin is that He made up His mind to live for God and renounced Satan's temptations with the most powerful weapon in this world, the Word of God (cf. Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). To be like Jesus we must love as Jesus loves. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35). In living and loving like Jesus, we will be pleasing unto God! Are you living a godly life as taught in the scriptures? -1311 Sanlor Ave., West Milton, OH 45383.

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