Christ's Example of Godliness

"Jesus Christ" by Heinrich Hofmann

We all know that our lives are to be characterized by godliness. Many verses in the Bible mention this concept of godliness, or "the working of God in a person's life to make that person more like Himself" (definition mine). A few examples:

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 

{I Timothy 4:7-8}

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

{I Timothy 6:6}

 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. {I Timothy 6:11}

One verse in particular helps give us a better understanding of the nature of godliness.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

{I Timothy 3:16}

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the ultimate manifestation of godliness because He was God in human form ("in the flesh"). A look at His time on earth reveals several ways in which Christ exemplified godliness. 

Christ's Examples of Godliness

1. Christ's love for all people. 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {Matthew 22:39}

2. Christ's desire for the Gospel to be proclaimed to everyone.

 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. {Mark 16:15} 

3. Christ obeyed His Father's commandments.

 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. {John 15:10}

4. Christ put the needs of others before Himself.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. {II Corinthians 8:9} 

5.  Christ was committed to do the will of God, no matter the price.

Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. {Matthew 26:39}

6.  Christ showed His love for God's House.

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. {Matthew 21:12-13}

7. Christ set the example for how we should pray.

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. {Luke 6:12}

Christ's life is the perfect example of godliness. Why not use it as a blueprint for your own life as you seek to live in a godly way?