[Biblemat] A) GODLINESS ISN'T CONTAGIOUS

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Monday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article that recently came my way:

GODLINESS ISN'T CONTAGIOUS

     Evil is like an infectious disease.  One person with a conga-
gious illness can pass it on to many others just by being in
close proximity to them.  In the same way, evil seems to spread among a group.

     Godliness, on the other had, must be deliberately sought
after.  We do not become godly by only associating with relig-
ious people in a secluded environment.  You will not "catch it"
by simply being in the same room as a righteous person.  Godly people are a 
great example for everyone; however, god-
liness comes through faith and obedience to the Lord on the
part of each and everyone. 

     That is the point Haggai made centuries ago.  He spoke
about meat that had been set apart for sacrifice to God.  If
that meat touched some other food, it would not make the 
other food holy (Hag. 2:12).  On the other hand, uncleanness
could easily be transmitted by a simple touch (Hag. 2:13).

     "If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and 
with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any
food, will it become holy?"  "Then the priests answered and
said 'No.'"  "And Haggai said, 'If one who is unclean because
of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?'  So
the priests answered and said, 'It shall be unclean.'"  (Hag. 2:
12,13).

     Haggai told the people of Israel, who assumed they were
holy because of their godly heritage, that they actually had 
become defiled because of their disobedience:  "So is this
people and so is this nation before Me, says the Lord, and so
is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is un-
clean" (Hag. 2:14).

     If you want to be godly YOU must decide that you're going
to follow God.  You must learn what God wants and obey Him.  Having devout 
parents and associating with religious
friends will certainly help, but they cannot make you godly.

     We become godly only as we live close to the Lord and do
what He tells us to do.  (We are told in (1 Cor. 15:33) that  
"Evil companionship corrupts good morals."  We are further
told concerning evil people: "Come out from among them And
be separate, says the Lord, And I will receive you." (2 Cor. 6:
17). JWS).    --------- Shane Williams in The Lilbourn Light, Vol.
7, No. 8, Dec. 2006.
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