Living Godly in an Ungodly World

One of the highlights of our trip to Ontario Canada, each year is participating in the VBS at the Wellandport Church. They may be small in number by the world’s standards. But they are great in faith, hope, and love.

It was a privilege to teach the adult class and share lessons about Noah, the ark and the flood. But it’s a real pleasure to see the children’s genuine joy. Their unbridled enthusiasm. And hear them sing their little hearts out.

The Bible narrative about the flood found in Genesis 6-9 translates well into lessons the children both enjoy learning about, but with applications that are simple and easy to understand.

I pointed out to the adults, however, that God did not give us this account just so we could have a cool VBS theme. Or create a zoo to fascinate the kids. Or sing fun songs like Arky Arky.

There are decidedly several adult spiritual messages from this narrative. One of which we can live godly in a ungodly world.

The ancient world is described as very wicked. Corrupt. And violent. The Bible says, “The wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:1-12).

Yet in the midst all of the moral putridity there stood out one man who dared to be different. Noah. The Bible says he was “a righteous man.” “Blameless in his generation.” And he “walked with God.”

Not only that, Noah’s example influenced his family. While Noah found favor in God’s eyes which extended to his wife, his three sons, and their wives. They followed Noah as he “walked with God.” This speaks to a relationship with the Lord. A closeness. An intimacy. A friendship. And a kinship. Noah enjoyed communion, communication, and community with the Creator.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for that little family of 8? Trying to live right in that immoral mess. Keeping your thoughts pure. Shunning evil companions. Denying worldly lusts. Avoiding impious entanglements and engagements. And abstaining from sensual pleasures.

Yet, Noah and his family withstood the pressure, the temptations, and no doubt the ridicule of those around them. Their purpose in life was higher, nobler, and virtuous. It was spiritual. It was holy. It was God-ward.

It’s also worth noting that there is a another person in Genesis that is commended for walking with God. Enoch. Know who he was? Noah’s great-grandfather (Gen. 5:24-29). It’s not too much a stretch to see how faith impacted that family. Passed down to succeeding generations was belief in, an adherence to, and a personal relationship with God.

Today, the news is filled with similar stories as in Noah’s day. Wickedness. Violence. Corruption. And ungodliness. Temptations all around us to succumb to Satan’s schemes and fulfill the lusts of the flesh. It almost seems as if every inclination of the man’s heart is evil continually.

There is no public shame in sin anymore. You name it and it’s accepted, promoted, or even celebrated. Whether there should be embarrassment there is pride. God’s name is used as a by-word, curse word, and an exclamation point. Cussing and foul language that was once whispered in private and reserved for the backroom or the locker room, is now openly flaunted and applauded on national TV.

So, how do we live righteously in an unrighteous world? How do we raise a family and teach children to do right in a world gone wrong? How do we resist the desire to fit in with everyone else? How do we defy the Devil’s temptations to satisfy our lusts?

#1 It begins with a choice to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed (Rom. 12:1-1).

The J. B. Phillips translation says, “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its own mold.” We must dare to be different. Decide to be holy because our God is holy. And do what He calls us to do. Noah made a choice. So can we.

#2 Fortify Your faith.

The Hebrew writer extols Noah’s faith with these words.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17), get into the Word. Listen to the Lord. Hear His voice as revealed to the Holy Spirit by the apostles and prophets.

Read the Bible. Have family devotions. Attend bible classes. Engage in worship weekly. Dig deeper into the Word. Listen to online sermons. Read uplifting spiritual materials. Go with your kids to VBS. Prioritize spiritual values in your family.

Be like Noah. Be a person of faith,

#3 Seek and See the Heavenly.

Noah’s faith allowed him to see the unseen. To see future events that God promised. His salvation in the ark. And the destruction of those outside of it.

The apostle Paul offers this exhortation in Colossians 3:1-2.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Stay heaven focused. See beyond the here and now. Get a glimpse of what God has promised for His people. Open your eyes to eternal glory (Revelation 21-22).

#4 Let your Light Shine.

In Jesus’ mountain message he challenged his followers “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14). Hide it under a basket? NO!

Just like the world was corrupt in Noah’s day, so it was in Paul’s. He admonished them to “shine as lights” as they lived in a culture that was “crooked and perverse.”

Our day is no different. But we too can let our light shine.

Finally, consider that Noah only had 7 other people, his physical family, to find encouragement. Even in the smallest of congregations, most of us have more people than that. Rely on each other. Lift up your brethren. Encourage one another.

Leave a legacy of righteousness that can be passed on to succeeding generations.

Be like Noah.

Live godly in an ungodly world.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman