5 Principles of Godly Living

Here are five principles about living a godly life.

Obeying Authorities

The Bible teaches that Christians are to live according to the local laws of the land and not be in any way above the law. Only when the laws of mankind conflict with the laws of God must we obey God over man (Acts 5:29); but for most of us, that doesn’t happen. For some in other parts of the world, they deal with this every day of their lives. Either way, we are told, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:1-2).

In Good Company

When we have friends with godly values, they will rub off on us and there will be fewer opportunities to fall into sinful practices. However, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Whomever we run with we tend to be like, for good or bad. Godly people don’t run with the ungodly.

Above Reproach

It isn’t just the pastor who should live a life above reproach (Titus 1:6-7, 1 Timothy 3:2). We should all have “a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:16). Living a life above reproach doesn’t mean you’ll never be accused; it just means you’ll never be convicted of their accusations.

Living Christ out in Us

Paul was no lukewarm Christian. Rather, he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). If we understand that Jesus gave His life for us, we can understand why Paul would ask the Corinthian church, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Students of the Word

Those who are investing time in the Word of God shall have a good return for their labor because the Word of God has effectual power to change us. It’s been described as a washing by the water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26) but also as having the very power of God to save (Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18). Those who are students of the Word and not just on a daily Bible reading plan (which is great!) will grow more than those who rarely take in the Bread of Life.

Conclusion

Most godly people I know are also humble. They seem to esteem others better than themselves because even though they have more biblical knowledge, it doesn’t make them proud. They know they have nothing that they didn’t receive from God (1 Corinthians 4:7). Humility is a very strong indicator of someone who is living a godly life.