How can I demonstrate godliness in life?

1 Peter 3:1 talks about how a Christian wife's life can reach her husband by being submissive to him. Obviously, you're not the wife :thumbs: but maybe by you loving your wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her would begin to show her the difference Christ can make in a life.

By consistently loving her and seeking to be her servant, that would be a clear example of godliness.

Praying for you.

 

Ah... Seems that we have a hostile witness encounter of the type I mentioned in the thread I started about that issue.

Never fear, with God all things are possible!

I would begin by praying -- that the Lord would move in her heart, and that you would be the husband that God designed you to be. I would pray that God make sure the union between husband and wife that He promised, and that you would live to the biblical standard for love and leadership, even if there is no earthly reward.

Second, I would pray over her in her hearing. There is nothing in all my years of pastoral counseling and dealing with my own wife, even when she was yet hardened to the Lord, that had a greater effect than a husband praying over his wife as they lay ready for sleep. Hold her and just whisper to the Lord the desires of YOUR heart. Don't make the prayer about how SHE has to change, but rather how YOU have to change, and as much, how the Lord has to work. Don't announce, "I'm going to pray now," or something like that. Just hold her and begin praying. I have never felt nor seen anything that melts a hard heart (broken heart) in a woman more than her husband taking godly leadership in this fashion.

Third, I would exercise great patience and realize that she is not you. As you begin a fruitful church life, slowly gain her confidence to be a part of that life. Don't set scenarios to play out, let the Lord have His way. He is, after all, more than competent to take care of His business. She needs to meet another woman who can mentor her in the faith and as important as anything, see that relationships are part of the Christian life -- not just religious exercise!

Fourth, we can all be disappointed and upset when we take our eyes off of our Savior and place them on each other. In large part, those who are discomfited with the church have done so. They see the "hypocrites" and the "liars" and everyone who does not measure up to what it is that they feel that God calls His people to be, never mind the fact that they are as well... The cure for this is abject and outright worship of our God and King in a way where it doesn't matter what others say, see, or think. It is "God and you" to the exclusion of all else. In this Spirit-led worship (which can happen anywhere!) one tastes the glory that is God's alone and it can change hearts and lives.

And, finally, you must put "feet" to words. If you make noise about walking as a Christian, then there should be some fruit in your life. That doesn't mean walking about all day long with hands folded and a monk's haircut. It does mean accepting your God-given role as priest in the home, leader for the family, and provider (which doesn't have to mean some sort of job -- it can be "taking care of business" in a way that leaders and providers do).

Of course, not all persons respond, but I would be surprised if a couple years down the road you are not both filled with God's love and presence, while you minister to others.

 

Besides the excellent replies you already received, exude the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5).

I'm also reading the book of James currently where he touches on being doers or the Word and not hearers only...might be a good book to dig into right now. Like you said, don't be phony (start putting fish stickers on your car, wearing trendy T's with spiritual messages, acting overly "weird", etc.)...people can see right through that sort of stuff.

 

Jesus said, "Love God and be a good neighbor."

 

I am sorry for all the bad "christians" she has seen. It won't be an easy or a short answer, but keep doing what you're doing and trust God's holy Spirit to do His amazing work of grace in her heart. If God could save you and me, He can certainly work in her.

 

Reading Web Dog's post reminded me of this verse:

James 1:27
King James Version (KJV)
27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

If you do decide to do a study in James, this looks to be a good resource:
http://www.new-testament-christian.com/james.html

Looks like you've been given alot of good advice. We will be praying for you both. :godisgood: