Благочестие

It is not enough for a righteous person to be only righteous, but it is appropriate for him to also have piety, for truth is manifested in relation to others, and piety is revealed in relation to God. Truth commands not to offend anyone, but piety teaches us to work hard for God. Truth loves one's neighbor, and godliness loves God. However, both are as necessary for a person as two eyes, two hands, two legs, or two wings for a bird. And just as one eye sees worse without the other, one hand cannot work well without the other and one leg cannot walk correctly without the other, just as with one wing a bird cannot fly, so righteousness without piety cannot be perfect. Only then is righteousness perfect when it is combined with piety. Many of those of other faiths observe the truth, but since there is no piety in them, their truth does not justify them before God. Cornelius the centurion, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, was also a righteous man who feared God, but until he accepted Christian piety, he could not have a lot among the saints and righteous. When he accepted piety, he became completely holy and righteous (see Acts 10). Piety is the top and crown of righteousness. What is piety? Piety by its very name means good, that is, good, reverence for the Lord God, for the word “piety” is composed of two words: good and honest. Good and honest combined together made “godliness.” In fact, piety is revealed in good, true, unfalse, unfeigned worship of God. For there are many of us Christians, but not all of us honor His goodness; more often we honor Him in an evil way: we honor Him only with our lips, but in our hearts we are far from Him (see Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8; Mark 7:6); We show only the appearance of godliness, but deny His power (2 Tim. 3:5); We are called Christians only by name, but we do the works of pagans. Is it piety to be called true believers and follow evil believers? To confess the true faith with our lips, but through a lawless life to reject Him in Whom we believe? Worship Christ to the ground with your forehead, and crucify Him again with bad deeds, mock Him? Is this what worship is about? Is this what Christianity is about? The words of the Lord in the Apocalypse apply to each of these: “I know your works; You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). You are alive in body, but dead in soul; You bear the name of Christ, but your deeds are demonic; You pray to Christ, but you please the demon and always anger Christ! Is this piety? True piety is known and actually exists in one who honors God by the name of piety and by deeds, directing his life towards virtue (1). You might be interested in: