The Lord hears when I call to Him. (NASB)
This is one of the many verses that takes on a different slant when the readers remembers it was is Old Testament verse. The verse refers to a "godly man". In OT times a person could still be an Israelite and not be godly. Much like today when a person can be a Christian, yet not be a godly person. This refers not to the positional relationship with God, but the daily walk with Him.
For me this distinction is important because it highlights the importance of living a godly life even after the salvation experience. While many argue that a person cannot lose his or her salvation, in order for our prayers to be heard by God, our lives on earth must be an example of who we serve. I would even go so far as to say after reading this verse that if our lives are characterized by disobedience, we lose most, if not all, of our effectiveness for God. At the very least it is severely diminished.
If you thirst for God's peace, be a godly man. If you desire protection direction, be a godly man. If you seek God's guidance, be a godly man. If you thirst for God's joy, be a godly man. If you long to be a prayer warrior, be a godly man.
Our salvation is not based on anything we can do or not do, but the closeness of our relationship with Jehovah is most certainly based on what we chose to do and say. Perfection is not required, but confession, repentance and earnestness are. If we are sincerely, consistently trying to be a godly man, God will honor that and be our constant companion.
This is one of the many verses that takes on a different slant when the readers remembers it was is Old Testament verse. The verse refers to a "godly man". In OT times a person could still be an Israelite and not be godly. Much like today when a person can be a Christian, yet not be a godly person. This refers not to the positional relationship with God, but the daily walk with Him.
For me this distinction is important because it highlights the importance of living a godly life even after the salvation experience. While many argue that a person cannot lose his or her salvation, in order for our prayers to be heard by God, our lives on earth must be an example of who we serve. I would even go so far as to say after reading this verse that if our lives are characterized by disobedience, we lose most, if not all, of our effectiveness for God. At the very least it is severely diminished.
If you thirst for God's peace, be a godly man. If you desire protection direction, be a godly man. If you seek God's guidance, be a godly man. If you thirst for God's joy, be a godly man. If you long to be a prayer warrior, be a godly man.
Our salvation is not based on anything we can do or not do, but the closeness of our relationship with Jehovah is most certainly based on what we chose to do and say. Perfection is not required, but confession, repentance and earnestness are. If we are sincerely, consistently trying to be a godly man, God will honor that and be our constant companion.
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