“Now 1godliness with 2contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim. 6:6) 1eusebeia: A profound adoring deep respect. 2autarkeia: having all of one’s needs. Is having all we need enough? NO! It says godliness with a profound adoring deep respect toward God, is GREAT GAIN.
Godliness is a GOD–CENTERED LIFE. It grows, not through the PURSUIT of a PROCESS, but through the divine PRESENCE of a PERSON. Jesus Christ is the mystery of godliness. “…without controversy great is the 3MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: God (God the Son) was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” (1 Tim. 3:16) 3mustērion: a hidden or secret thing. This mystery is not for us to understand but to accept by faith, So, what is it???
“…the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been REVEALED to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man PERFECT in Christ Jesus.” (Col. 1:26-28) This mystery is that Jesus Christ LIVES IN US!!! This is how Jesus explained it,“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home WITH EACH OF THEM.” (John 14:23 NLT) The mystery is CHRIST IN YOU so, it could be stated like this, “…we will come and make our home IN EACH OF THEM.” This is WHY we should and HOW we can, live godly lives!!!
-Bill Stockham