Living Godly in an Ungodly World | Sonship Edification | September 2025

September Devotional and Bible Study Journaling 

Living Godly in an Ungodly World  

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." -1 Tim 4:8

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;" -1 Tim 6:3

Godly living is not a performance—it is a participation. It is not about conforming to religious expectations, but about being conformed to the image of Christ through the renewing of our minds. In a world that resists truth and exalts self, the believer is called to live not by reaction, but by revelation. This calling is uniquely revealed through the Apostle Paul’s epistles to the Body of Christ, where the mystery of godliness is unfolded—not as law-keeping, but as Sonship.

Godliness is the outworking of our identity as sons and daughters of God, educated by Him, walking with Him, and laboring together with Him. It is a threefold expression:  

• Thinking the way God wants us to think (Godly Edification)  

• Doing the things God wants us to do (a Holy Lifestyle) 

• Laboring with God in the gospel (Sonship)

These three things are the essence of godliness or what I also call "Grace Living."

Godly Edification: Thinking the Way that God wants us to Think  

Godly edification begins with the renewing of the mind—not through worldly wisdom or emotional impulse, but through the sound doctrine found in Romans through Philemon. This is the curriculum of godliness, where the believer is taught by the Father to think spiritually, discerningly, and eternally.

In this process, the believer learns to interpret life through the lens of grace, not guilt; through purpose, not pressure. Godly thinking today in the dispensation of grace is not merely positive—it is Pauline. It is rooted in the truths of justification, sanctification, and glorification. It is the mind of Christ formed in us through the Spirit and the Word.

This kind of thinking transforms how we see ourselves, others, and the world. It equips us to respond to trials with spiritual understanding, to navigate relationships with grace, and to steward our time and resources with eternal perspective. It is the foundation of godliness, because it aligns our inner life with God’s revealed will.

Holy Living: Doing the Things that God Wants Us to Do  

Holy living is the natural outflow of godly thinking. It is not a checklist—it is a walk. It is not about earning favor—it is about expressing faith. Holy living is not law-based behavior modification, but grace-based transformation. It is the believer walking “worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1), not out of fear, but out of fellowship.

Holy living is the fruit of Sonship —it reflects the character of our Father and the purpose of our calling. It is expressed in how we speak, serve, and steward. It is seen in our choices, our priorities, and our responses. It is not perfection—it is participation in the life of Christ.

This kind of living is not shaped by culture, but by calling. It is not reactive to trends, but responsive to truth. It is quiet, consistent, and deeply spiritual. It sanctifies the ordinary and dignifies the unseen. It is the believer living out her identity in Christ with grace, clarity, and courage.

Sonship: Laboring With God in the Gospel  

Sonship is the highest expression of godliness. It is not merely being saved—it is being educated, equipped, and engaged in the "Father’s business." Sonship involves being led by the Spirit through the curriculum of godly edification, and then laboring with God in His purpose.

This labor is not confined to pulpits or programs—it is the daily participation in the gospel. It is the believer using his or her gifts, time, and influence to make known the mystery of Christ even if its just at home with her family as a homemaker. It is the quiet work of truth-telling, grace-giving, and hope-sharing. It is the believer becoming a living epistle, known and read of all men.

Sonship is not about status—it is about stewardship. It is the believer saying, “I will labor with my Father. I will walk in His wisdom. I will reflect His heart.” It is the spiritual maturity that sees every moment as ministry, every task as testimony, and every relationship as a redemptive opportunity.

Godly living in an ungodly world is not a burden—it is a blessing. It is the privilege of walking with God in truth, grace, and purpose. It is the quiet rebellion of faith against fear, of clarity against confusion, of grace against guilt.

As women called to walk in Sonship, we are invited to think with God, live with Him, and labor beside Him. This is not a seasonal calling—it is an eternal one. It is not reserved for the strong—it is revealed to the surrendered.

What Is Sonship?

Sonship refers to the believer’s position as a spiritually mature child of God, adopted into His family not just for salvation, but for purposeful labor in the gospel. It’s rooted in passages like Romans 8:15–17 and Galatians 4:1–7 (KJV), where Paul speaks of believers receiving “the spirit of adoption” and being treated as sons—not just children.

Key aspects include:

- Adoption as Sons: Not just born-again children (or just "new creatures in Christ"), but placed into a position of responsibility and inheritance.

- Edification Curriculum: Pauls Epistles are a structured path of spiritual growth wherein our Father is training us as sons and daughters for wise stewardship.

- Laboring with God: Sonship means actively participating in God's work—sharing the gospel, building up others, and walking in the Spirit rather than after the flesh.

- Spiritual Maturity: It’s a call to grow beyond milk (basic doctrine) into meat (discernment, wisdom, and service).

Why Some Disagree

Sonship Edification has stirred debate even within grace circles. Critics may say:

- Too Systematic: The curriculum model can feel rigid or man-made, as if spiritual growth must follow a prescribed syllabus.

- Elitist Overtones: Some perceive it as creating tiers of believers—those who are “sons” versus those who are merely “children.”

- Misuse or Misunderstanding: When taught without grace, it can sound like performance-based spirituality, which contradicts the very heart of Pauline doctrine.

But these critiques often miss the heart of the teaching.

Not Elitism—It’s Stewardship

True Sonship isn’t about being “better” than other believers. It’s about choosing to walk in the Spirit, not the flesh (Romans 8:13), and using our earthly time to labor with God rather than chase worldly comforts. It’s the difference between being saved and being useful—not for approval, but out of love and gratitude.

- It’s invitational, not exclusive: All believers are adopted; Sonship invites them to grow into that role.

- It’s about purpose, not pride: The goal is to reflect Christ’s character and serve others, not to boast in spiritual status.

- It’s grace-driven: The believer’s labor is empowered by the spirit, not self-effort.

Let your life be a sanctuary of godliness—a place where doctrine dwells, grace flows, and the gospel is gently lived.

Prayer

Father of grace and truth, teach me to live not by reaction, but by revelation (the revelation of the mystery). Let my mind be renewed by Your doctrine, my steps ordered by Your Spirit, and my heart anchored in Your Son. Help me think with You, walk with You, and labor beside You—not out of duty, but out of delight. May my life reflect the quiet strength of Sonship, the beauty of holy living, and the wisdom of godly edification.  

Sanctify my ordinary moments. Dignify my unseen labor. Let my home, my words, and my relationships become a gentle testimony of Your grace.  

I surrender not to performance, but to participation. Let my life be a sanctuary where Your truth dwells, Your grace flows, and Your gospel is gently lived. In Christ Jesus, my Lord and Life, Amen.

Bible Study Questions (using a KJB)

1. According to 1 Timothy 3:16, what aspects of Christ’s life reveal the mystery of godliness, and how do they shape our understanding of Sonship today? (Consider how each phrase—manifested, justified, seen, preached, believed, received—reflects a spiritual pattern for the believer.)

2. How does Pauline doctrine (Romans–Philemon) uniquely equip us for godly thinking in the dispensation of grace? (Explore how justification, sanctification, and glorification form the foundation of spiritual discernment.)

3. What does it mean to labor with God in the gospel as a woman in various life stages—whether in homemaking, ministry, caregiving, or quiet stewardship? (Reflect on how Sonship dignifies every role)

Thank you for spending a few quiet moments here on the blog today. If this devotional and Bible Study encouraged you, I invite you to explore the new resources I’ve been creating—printable Bible studies for women, and fresh podcasts and videos now available on YouTube and Spotify (see links below).

Each one is crafted to support your walk in grace, truth, and edification —whether you're studying at home, journaling in a quiet corner, or simply seeking encouragement in the everyday.

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With gratitude and grace,  

Mrs. Adrienne Jason 

**Written by Adrienne Jason with the A.I. from a Mid-Acts perspective as a supportive tool. Feel free free to share with others. 

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