THE THREE R’S OF GODLY LIVING

Resolve, Resistance and Resilience

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

In a society where wickedness has become the rule and godliness the exception, one who is trying to live godly is going to have a hard time. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” The Word of God never promises that the road that lies ahead for all who would live godly would be an easy one. This is especially true in light of the fact that “Evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13). For this reason those who desire to live godly must resolve to live in accordance with the will of God.

If anyone has resolved to live a life for God, he must be able to resist all that would cause him to go back on that resolution. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” To those who would or have resolved to put their hands to the plough, you need to resist all that would cause you to look back.

As stated earlier, those who would live godly would more than likely suffer persecution. However, what do we do when temptations and trials have gotten the best of us? What should be our disposition when we are being pressed on every side? One very important attribute a Christian must possess under intense trial is resilience. According to James 1:2-4, the child of God should look to the outcome of trials. He should keep bouncing back so as to see the experience through. Such is what Jesus did (Heb. 12:1-2).

For the benefit of those whose aim is to live godly, I'd like to look at each of these attributes more closely: resolve, resistance, and resilience.

Resolve

Resolve means to make up one's mind; to determine or decide. In order for one to live godly he or she must first begin with a resolution. With each New Year people tend to make resolutions. Some they keep; some they don't. For the person who has as his aim to live godly in Christ Jesus, he must be determined to do so. It is not a commitment that one can take lightly (read Luke 14:26-33). You must resolve to be with the Lord or not; there is no middle ground (1 Kings 18:21; Matt. 12:30). For all who believe that they can grow complacent with their limited service to God, please read Revelation 3:15-16. Anyone who resolves to be a disciple of the Lord must be careful to do all that the Lord requires (Matt. 28:20). To do anything less will render one less than an unprofitable servant (Luke 17:10), and will be a disgusting taste in the Lord's mouth to the point that he vomits him out (Rev. 3:16). Total love for God must be a part of any resolution to live godly in Christ Jesus (Matt. 22:37; John 14:15). When a person loves God with every fiber of his being, how could he not live godly. If a person loves God with all his heart and soul and might, there will be no room for selfish desires. Everything a person does will be aimed at pleasing the Lord. Anyone who has determined to follow Jesus, yet follows a course of least resistance has not truly resolved in himself to be a disciple of the Lord. The one who is determined to live godly is one who would make every accommodation to see that he or she will not be hindered from coming to services. One who is consumed with worry and care cannot be consumed with God. Excuses, discouragement and disappointment are all vehicles of Satan to hinder you from doing what you have resolved to do. For this reason anyone who has determined to live godly in Christ Jesus must exercise resistance.

Resistance

Resistance is opposing force or opposition, to withstand. The Greek rendering is ANTHESTEMI. It means to set against or withstand (read James 4:7). If anyone is going to keep that which he has resolved for the Lord, he has to resist the devil because the devil would have him to do otherwise. As is the case with our physical bodies when we fail to stick to a proper diet and we don't get the proper nutrition we need, we will have a hard time keeping up our resistance. For many who keep colds and other such ailments in their families, one of the first things that ought to be considered is proper nutrition. The one who has determined to live godly, yet fails miserably in doing so, please consider the following. Are you getting well balanced diet of the word of God or do you make it a habit to skip meals? How is your attendance when it comes to the midweek Bible study or Sunday morning Bible study or evening worship? Are you taking every opportunity to study with other Christians or are you trying to survive on fast food? Do you glance at the Scripture every now and then? Those who have determined to live godly in Christ cannot afford to have their resistance lowered. If we have resolved to live godly, we better ”be strong in the Lord and the power of His might"(see Eph. 6:10-12). We are exhorted to resist Satan by exercising our faith (James 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:7; 5:8-9). “Therefore above all, take up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked"(Eph. 6:16). The devil is going to be on our backs as long as we are Christians. If we yield to him, of course, he will leave us alone. We are at war. As a result, there will be some wounds and some casualties. But for those of us who get wounded we must recover. Satan is like a roaring lion walking to and fro seeking whom he may devour. We have to get out of the lions way. I don't think a lion is going to let you merrily admire his denture work (see 2 Tim 4:17, 18). Satan will beat you down and wear you out sometimes, but it does not mean that you must lie there and lick your wounds. When you have done all to stand, STAND. Be resilient.

Resilience

Resilience is the ability to spring back; return to original form after being bent, compressed or stretched. 1 Corinthians 4:8-18 provides a great example of resilience. Remember, that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. If living for the Lord is what you have resolved to do, as you resist all opposition to your goal, you are going to be battered and torn. Satan will come in the form of discouragement and disappointment. You are not to sit there and wallow in it; you must bounce back. 2 Peter 3:18-22 tells us what happens to those who don't bounce back: their end is worse than their beginning. Get back to proper form when stricken with trials. God is not just a fair-weather friend. Don't collapse under pressure. That's exactly what the devil is trying to get you to do (read Gal. 6:9).

I hope it is everyone's will, which is named a Christian, to resolve to live godly in Christ Jesus. As you go about living out your resolution, resist every effort on the part of Satan to deter you from your goal. When disappointments and discouragement come, do not despair; bounce back! (Read Rom. 8:31-39).