Titus 1.1 records, Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ, to further the faith of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that is in keeping with godliness.

In this opening sentence in Paul’s letter to his friend Titus, he gives an insight into the true meaning of godliness. When most people think of godliness they think of people like Mother Theresa or Billy Graham. They also think of character associated with godliness like goodness, honesty, kindness, love, generosity.

I suppose everyone has their own list. No doubt most of us would consider ourselves somewhat godly.

Paul defines godliness by two criteria in his opening sentence to his protege Titus. First, godliness grows peoples faith. If we are godly then we help foster growth in the faith people have in God. True godliness cultivates, motivates and promulgates greater love for God which is manifest as obedience to God. We are not truly godly unless the people around us are becoming increasingly more obedient to God because they are growing in their love for God through our efforts.

Second, godliness promotes God’s worldview to everyone. God described Himself, when He lived among us as one of us in Jesus the Savior, as the Truth. There is truth and there is not truth. God’s ways are true, right and best because He is true, right and best.

All that we believe to be true is not necessarily true but all that God says is true is true whether we experience that truth currently. Godly people promote God’s truth so that everyone can know the truth and live according to the truth. It is this kind of living that is best for all of us, both individually and collectively.

If we are truly godly then we are promulgators of truth which is easiest and most clearly found in the Bible, God’s book of truth.

According to Paul, who is godly now? Are you?