GODLINESS AND GOOD WORKS. 1st Timothy 2:10 A well-ordered dress reflects a well-ordered mind, which shows godliness. To be like God is our standard in life, for both men and women. It's essential to give God His proper place—first—in our hearts and thoughts. Showing Him reverence and living in the fear of the Lord will make godliness real to us. Our Lord provided everything we need "for life and godliness" [2Pe.1:3] when He saved us by His grace. Those He saves start off well, so we have no reason or excuse to fail in our Christian walk. We are also instructed to add patience, godliness, and brotherly kindness [2Pe.1:6-7]. Our current life experiences depend on how committed we are to practicing these virtues so we can grow and mature. Holy living and godliness are expected as normal conduct because of the future [2Pe.3:11]. Christian character is shown through good works, which are more attractive than outward appearance. Respect and reverence for God are expressed outwardly through our attitude.
I see her working hard to prepare good food and listen to her comments, planning how to help someone older and clearly in need. She considers a younger person who needs guidance, recognizing what is happening and what should be done in a tough situation. Then, she goes out of her way to offer her good advice and guidance to help her avoid something in her life that could dishonor the Lord.
I see her traveling to one who has suffered a great loss and staying to help the other cross a deep valley to safety. She meets some needs that she knows must be addressed with care and bears another’s burden through her good deeds. She sits quietly and listens as grief flows out like a flood, and when the moment is right, she silently commits her trust to God, reminding the sufferer that she is not alone. God is with her, ready to provide the grace she needs when she comes to His throne.
I see her when others are stuck and don’t know what to do. She is there to advise and help, drawing on her own experiences and what she has learned in life. Women can help other women cross barriers and bridges that they understand better than men. Whether it is an older woman who needs urgent help or a younger woman who feels her life is on hold, a godly woman can see clearly what the Lord’s will is, and with her good works and godliness, demonstrates Christian love.
Godliness is vital in the various situations we face in life. Ten times in the pastoral epistles, especially 1st Timothy, godliness is emphasized as an essential part of Christian life and testimony. For men, the public prayers in the assembly aim for us to live godly lives. For women, their personal testimony related to their attire serves as evidence of their godliness. Godliness is the foundation of assembly testimony [1 Tim.3:16] and the personal life of "a good servant of Jesus Christ."
Godliness in the verb form (piety) is demonstrated at home. In business, godliness protects against covetousness and dishonest dealings that can damage one's testimony. Our testimony is at risk in all these areas of life: home, church, and business. So, I must ask myself—Am I selfish at home, divisive, and quarrelsome in the church? Tight-fisted and dishonest in business? The Lord Jesus was the perfect example of godliness. In every part of His life, there was no doubt about the uniqueness and godliness of His person—in His incarnation, baptism, public ministry, and His death, resurrection, and ascension.
The deeds, "good works," to which Paul refers, contrast the cheapness of expensive clothes with godly character and Christian service. “Professing” claims testifies to inner faith, which expresses itself in good works [Jas.2:17-18]. Godliness cannot be applied externally. It comes from within. The Gospel message affirms the value of women before God and their equality in the Body of Christ [Gal.3:28]. There is a great contrast between modesty and decency and glamour and costly clothes. Goodness and godliness go together, as do quietness and submission. A display of wealth—gold, pearls, elaborate hairstyles, and worldliness—is not consistent with godliness.