Godliness

 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Peter 1:7 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2pe.1.7.ESV

Faith alone is not enough. We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone. It is always accompanied by godliness, brotherly affection, and love.

If we have faith without works, we betray the fact that our faith isn't genuine. We need to be holy as God is Holy. We need to be godly.

Godliness doesn't mean to say we're austere and aloof. If we're godly we'll be full of brotherly affection. Jesus didn't die for us begrudgingly. He did so willingly because of His great affection for us. We therefore ought to have affection one for another.

We ought to be defined by love. We love, not to earn our salvation, but because God first loved us, and gave Himself for us. We should think of others more highly than ourselves.

'Sovereign Father God, help us to be defined by godliness, brotherly affection and love, in Jesus' name, amen'

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