"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Tim 4:7-8)
A misapplication of the glorious truth of justification by faith alone (i.e. we're acceptable to God on the basis of what Jesus has done, not anything we do) is to think that godliness doesn't matter.
But the Bible is clear that godliness is important. We should "live a life worthy of the calling we have received" (Eph 4:1). But what strikes me about these verses in Timothy is that godliness is seen to be pursued for its own sake as well. It holds "promise for both the present life and the life to come". Not only will godliness lead to the "well done good and faithful servant" we all long for from Jesus on the final day. But also it has value for this life. We so often don't think like this. We think godliness is about sacrificing what is good and pleasing now, for the sake of something good and pleasing in the future. But in fact godliness is blessedness. Godliness is blessedness.
This makes sense when we think that godliness is being like God. God loves what is good, does what is good, and commands what is good. We should remember that in every situation, godliness is the best option - it holds promise for both this life and the life to come.
"And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?" (Deut 10:12-13)
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