The fame of godliness

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Have you ever, during or after doing something right or something for the Lord, become conscious of a desire to be thought well of or noticed or acclaimed for what you were doing?

I’m ashamed to say I have. It’s something I battle all too often.

That’s why a quote from Puritan preacher Richard Baxter recorded in the September/October 2007 issue of Frontline magazine arrested me. I searched online to try to find out where this quote was from, and found it was from a book titled The Reformed Pastor by Baxter. It’s words are true for anyone.

Truly, brethren, a man may as certainly, and more slyly, make haste to hell, in the way of earnest preaching of the gospel, and seeming zeal for a holy life, as in a way of drunkeness and filthiness. For what is holiness, but a devotedness to God and a living to him? And what is a damnable state, but a devotedness to carnal self and a living to ourselves? And doth any one live more to himself, or less to God, than the proud man? And may not pride make a preacher study for himself and pray and preach, and live to himself, even when he seemeth to surpass others in the work? It is not the work without the right principle and end that will prove us upright. The work may be God’s, and yet we may do it, not for God, but for ourselves.

But woe to him that takes up the fame of godliness instead of godliness! ‘Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.’ When the times were all for learning and empty formalities, the temptation of the proud did lie that way. But now, when, through the unspeakable mercy of God, the most lively practical preaching is in credit, and godliness itself is in credit, the temptation of the proud is to pretend to be zealous preachers and godly men. Oh, what a fine thing is it to have the people crowding to hear us, and affected with what we say, and yielding up to us their judgments and affections! What a taking thing is it to be cried up as the ablest and godliest man in the country, to be famed through the land for the highest spiritual excellencies!

Oh, therefore, be jealous of yourselves, and, amidst all your studies, be sure to study humility. ‘He that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.’

9 thoughts on “The fame of godliness”

  1. Thanks for the encouragement. I checked out your other blog. Do you journal? I have for years but making my food tracker part of it just began in January. I used to do that in another book. Now it is all there together. I start with my quiet time, any verses The lord lays on my heart and just begin putting my food choices on the left. WW assigns each food points depending on the fat, fiber and calories so it is easy to figure out how to count them.
    Last night my throat started hurting so today I have eaten things that soothe. I had oatmeal for breakfast and a cup of Campbell’s Bean & Bacon soup for lunch.
    I hope things begin to change for you soon. Join us on Live Well Wednesdays. Use your other blog.
    Blessings, Mama Bear

  3. Wonderful post, Barbara. It behooves each of us to stay ever on our face before the Lord lest any small shred of pride should take hold of us. Pride can be so deceptive!

  6. I’m guilty of that too. But I quickly check myself… I volunteer in the Christian education and publications ministry as a writer and photographer. For now, I’m reducing my volunteer activities to pursue a personal interest (postgraduate studies) that has been in my heart for the longest time.

  7. *Blush* Reading my thoughts!

    Pride and jealousy is the enemy’s best weapon. It’s so hard not to look at the site counter and go, I wish, I want and forget the purpose is to share and to minister. Wonderful post and thank you so much for posting what tries to dig its way in our hearts…

  9. Great post Barbara…thanks for sharing and the word of encouragment. I like the quote: “the fame of godliness instead of godliness”…it can be applied to so many areas of life and ministering to others. Yes…and we can even experience that here in Blogville…no area of life seems to be exempt.

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