The Narrow Door

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I’m going to start with a new greeting, moreso a pledge; At Your Service in charis.

Because in this message I want to serve you, by teaching you something, and it is from charis, which is a Greek word. So I’ll define charis. It means… "God influencing your heart so much that it’s obvious in your life..." So, “at your service in charis” means 

I wish to serve you, on God's behalf, with a message he has compelled my heart to give.

 

When you hear the word “pious,” what comes to your mind? Do you see a person who never smiles, their head in the clouds, who judges everyone for any mistake, and has no fun in life?  Or someone who uses their supposed faith as a weapon or a performance, a way to look good on Sunday while living a completely different life the rest of the week?

 

These are the world’s twisted views of a pious life, something cold, showy, or judgmental. That this is a distorted, broken image of a truly pious life, from a world that doesn't understand the power and the beauty of a genuine relationship with God. 

What if true piety is the opposite? The world sees it as a performance, but God sees it as a surrender. 

 

So cast those false images aside and look at God's Word, 

I’ll use the Literal Standard Version of the Bible, which tells us about true piety. It’s not a joyless life of rules or restrictions. 

It is a vibrant, powerful, and truly liberating life centred on God. A life devoted to God that visibly follows the moral and ethical codes of Christianity, because the heart is wholly surrendered to Christ. 

 

As followers of Christ, we’re called to a higher standard, a standard that requires us to embody the principles of piety in every aspect of our lives.

 

Today, we're going to rediscover the incredible, dynamic, and life-giving truth about living a pious life. 

Which is, a devoted relationship with God, guided by moral and ethical codes that visibly reflect His karis in every part of your life. 

Not just in what we say, but in how we live in public, in private, at work, in church, at home. It’s not about perfection but about a heart fully surrendered to God’s will, striving daily to honour Him in thought, word and deed... A lifestyle.. 

 

It’s not in most people’s vocabulary, even in the church. But it is a word God takes seriously.

 

So let’s learn what it truly means to live a pious life, with joy and purpose, and why it matters. 

How this calling can transform our lives and draw others to God’s charis

 

Scripture reveals piety as radical, relational devotion. 

In Acts 3, Peter heals a beggar but insists it wasn’t his own "power or piety" that did it. The Greek word here is eusebeia -

a reverence flowing from an intimate connection with God. This isn’t about earning God’s favour; it’s about responding to it.

A pious life is one where our faith in Christ is evident in everything we do. It’s not about just believing in God but living His commands with sincerity and purpose.

 

Let’s start with Psalm 86:2, where David prays, “Keep my soul, for I [am] pious, save Your servant—who is trusting in You, my God.” 

Trust God completely, relying on Him for protection and guidance. Piety begins with a heart anchored in faith, choosing to follow God’s moral path even when it’s challenging. Living piously means aligning our lives with the ethical codes of Christianity - love, honesty, forgiveness, and humility. It’s about making choices that reflect Jesus’ teachings, wherever you are. 

 

In Titus 2:11-12, we read, "For the saving karis of God has appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying the impiety and the worldly desires, we may live soberly, and righteously, and piously in the present age." Here, Paul outlines a pious life: denying impiety and worldly desires, and living soberly and righteously. A life that visibly follows the moral and ethical codes of Christianity is the natural flow of a heart that is being constantly transformed.

 

In Deuteronomy 6:5, we’re commanded, “And you have loved your God YHWH with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might..” It’s a choice to prioritise God above all else. Our decisions reflect His priorities, our words echo His kindness, and our actions show His mercy. A commitment to put God first in every area of our lives. 

 

Think about your daily routine. Do your choices reflect a love for God? It’s not about being flawless; it’s about consistently turning back to God, seeking His will in everything. 

 

In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, we read, "but reject the profane and old women’s fables, and exercise yourself to piety, for bodily exercise is to little profit, but piety is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is coming" Exercise or "train yourself for piety." Piety is not something that happens overnight; it requires dedication, discipline, and a willingness to submit ourselves to God's will.

 

How do we train? By immersing ourselves in God’s word, by spending time in prayer, by seeking His face in worship, and by surrounding ourselves with others who are on the same team. We are actively denying the "godless myths" of the world.

 

So what does this training produce? A transformed life.

 

So, what are the characteristics of a pious life? Firstly, a pious person is characterised by a deep devotion and awe for God. 

In Psalm 16:8, David writes, "I placed YHWH before me continually, because He is at my right hand, I am not moved. " This is prioritising God above all else.

 

Secondly, a pious person is recognised by obedience to God's commands. In 1 John 2:3, we read, "and in this we know that we have known Him, if we may keep His commands." When we obey God's commands, we’re demonstrating our love and commitment to Him.

 

Thirdly, a pious person is characterised by humility and a willingness to submit to God's will. In James 4:7, we read, "Be subject, then, to God; stand up against the Devil, and he will flee from you".

 

2 Peter 2:7-8, says, “and He rescued righteous Lot, worn down by the conduct of the lawless in licentiousness, for the righteous man dwelling among them was tormented in his righteous soul, day by day, in seeing and hearing unlawful works”. Firstly righteous here is akin to piety. He wasn't participating in sin; he was tormented by it.

 

Lot wasn't rescued because he was perfect. He was rescued because his heart was right with God. He didn't just look pious; his inner man was in agony over the godlessness he witnessed. The outward actions, the visible moral and ethical codes that we follow, are simply the visible evidence of this internal state.

 

Piety is a posture of the heart. It's a quiet, steady resolve to honour God in all things. In 1 Timothy 2:2, Paul tells us to pray for our leaders "...that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all piety and gravity," A truly pious life, leads to peace, not pride and arrogance. 

 

Three types of false piety:

 

The Performers: 

Obsessed with religious appearances - church attendance, public prayers, strict rules but hearts are far from God.

The Passive: 

Goes through motions without passion. Follows the crowd but lacks a personal connection with Christ.

The Pretenders: 

Use religion for self-interest, craving social approval rather than God’s.

 

True Piety isn’t what we display; it’s who we are when no one’s watching. Jesus reserved His fiercest rebukes   for those who practised piety as theatre:

 

Mat 6:1  “Take heed not to do your kindness before men, to be seen by them, and if not, you have no reward from your Father who is in the heavens”

 

The Bible tells us that true piety has a single source and a clear path. We see a warning in 2 Timothy 3:5. Paul describes people "having a form of piety, but having denied its power; and be turning away from these," This is a warning to avoid those who pretend to be pious. 

 

The world tells us that "great gain" is more attention, affection, finance, control, respect, and security. But 1 Timothy 6:6: says "but it is great gain the piety with contentment." 

 

When your heart is devoted to God, you find a deep satisfaction that doesn't depend on your circumstances. Money can't buy the true, lasting, and meaningful gain that’s found in piety with contentment. Which isn't a passive resignation or restriction; it's a freedom from the endless chase for what the world says is valuable, but in reality it’s just vain. 

 

Pursue the virtues that flow from a pious life. Paul lists some in 1 Timothy 6:11: "and you, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, piety,faith, love, endurance, meekness.” Those traits are the training regimen for a Godly life. 

 

Picture a three-legged stool. Remove one leg, and it collapses. So it is with piety. True devotion eusebeia stands on piety, study, and action. Like a sunflower turning toward light, pious lives constantly  turn  toward God

 

Piety without truth from knowledge, which comes from study, drifts into emotionalism or legalism. 

 

Romans 12:2 “and do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what is the will of God the good, and acceptable, and perfect."

 

We study not to master the text, but to let it master us. 

 

And then there’s action

Rom_9:12  it was said to her, “The greater will serve the less”; Eph 6:7  serving with goodwill, as to the LORD, and not to men, 

In Acts 10:2 , Cornelius is described as “pious, and fearing God with all his house, also doing many kind acts to the people, and always imploring God.” His piety was visible in his generosity and constant prayer. A pious life loves others sacrificially, reflecting Christ’s love.

 

Reflect Christ’s love. Think on God, Christianity and the Bible often, not just a few minutes a day, but most of it.

 

Pious lives aren’t grim; they’re joy-saturated. Nehemiah 8:10  declares, "...The joy of YHWH is your strength!" When piety flows from karis, it unleashes defiant delight: In Matthew 5:16 , Jesus says, “So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who is in the heavens.” Our forgiveness, generosity, integrity point others to God. 

 

Let’s commit to one act of righteousness this week, like helping someone in need. Mic 7:2  (LTTV) The pious has perished from the earth, and the upright is not among mankind. All of them lie in wait for blood; each one hunts his brother with a net. Micah was grieving because the pious were disappearing.

 

In today’s world, we see so many who claim to be Christian, but very few who live piously. Many wear the name of Christ, but don’t carry the character of Christ. Will you be an image of Jesus in society?

 

You will face challenges and obstacles. In John 16:33, Jesus says, "these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace,  in the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world" We will face difficulties, but realise we are not alone. Jesus has overcome the world, and is with us every step of the way. In 2 Timothy 3:12 , Paul warns, “And all who will to live piously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”. Be prepared to face persecution, ridicule, and opposition, But we must not be deterred. God gives us strength to stand firm.

 

When you’re tempted to compromise, maybe to bend the truth or ignore someone’s need, remember James 1:22 : “And become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Piety acts on God’s Word, even when it’s tough. Surround yourself with believers who encourage your faith. A pious life is a journey of growth, not perfection.

 

The rewards of living a pious life In Psalm 34:15, we read, "The eyes of YHWH are to the righteous, And His ears to their cry" . 

When we live piously, we experience God's presence and care. He is with us, guiding us, protecting us, and providing for us.

 

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus says, "Blessed the clean in heart because they will see God". From purity and holiness, we experience a deeper revelation of God's character and nature. We see Him in a way that others do not, and we experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing Him intimately.

 

Your piety impacts eternity. By living out God’s moral codes, you point others to Christ. Your kindness, integrity, and love can plant seeds for someone’s salvation. What greater reward could there be?

 

What does a pious life look like?

 

Maybe it means:

Turning off that show that dishonours God

Refusing to cheat or cut corners at work

Forgiving someone who hurt you

Speaking truth even when it’s unpopular

Praying when no one sees

Giving when no one thanks you

Choosing purity over pleasure

 

In conclusion, living a pious life is not just a suggestion; it's a command. We are called to live lives that are guided by moral and ethical codes that reflect God's character. Piety is not an empty performance. So let’s commit ourselves today, not to a sterile performance, people who look the part, but to a heartfelt, dynamic, and truly pious life that honours God.  

 

 

Go and live piously for the glory of God,  live a life so rooted in Him, others can’t help but ask why!

 

 

Which also brings me to a new salutation

 

Govern Well, In charis... Govern well is like saying take care, but more than take care, the word govern means to control or direct, 

and in charis I mentioned at the start. So I’m saying: Control your life well, and if in authority, whatever else you control, control it well, having God influencing your heart, to such a degree that it’s obvious in your life.

 

If you found value, tell others, tell us. Share links to all your contacts (don't bury that talent).

 

So again, Govern Well, In charis