Godliness #7 — Godly Fellowship

Depart from evil, and do good, so you will abide forever. For the Eternal loves justice, and does not forsake his godly ones. Psalm 37:27-28

One of the ways Jesus paraphrases this verse is this: “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Another is this: “to the extent that you took care of one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.” Caring for God’s godly ones puts us in fellowship with God. It demonstrates our own godliness in that such behavior shows us to be in line with God’s designs, and it assures us we will receive both sides of this amazing promise. Eternal life comes to those who do good to the godly because they are godly. On the other hand, godly people can be certain their God will always be there for them, both now and in eternity. God usually does this in the days of our flesh through other godly people. But even if we die because of our godliness, he has not abandoned us. For to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord, where the Father will “show the surpassing riches of his grace in useful kindness toward us in Christ Jesus forever.”

Righteous Lord, how comforted I feel, knowing you will vindicate my trust in your promise of future grace. Open my eyes to what I need to do to support your godly ones today. Amen.