16.-The Characteristics Of A Truly Godly Walk.
We believe that this subject is a sort of supplement to the second part of our May subject (p. 150, &c). We suggested in our remarks upon it (p. 181) that some such subject should be selected, because we felt then that the second part of the subject was not so complete as the first. All the blessings connected with the believer’s standing clearly are solely, and entirely, the fruit and result of Christ’s finished work. Not so, however, with those blessings that are connected with the Christian state. These are entirely contingent on his walk. While therefore we had then a wonderful list of the blessings that might be ours by a godly and faithful walk, we did not at that time see in what a godly and faithful walk consisted. This want is now supplied by our present subject. And a wonderful subject it is. What a field these six pages present for self-examination! Perhaps indeed one of the most profitable and practical uses to which they could be put would be to go through each line with the question, “Do I do this?” or “Is this true of me?” We would strongly recommend all our Christian readers thus to go over the whole list, putting, if wished, marks for reference according as conscience tells them they fulfill in a measure, or fail in each characteristic. Surely none could go through a task like this alone with God and their conscience, without coming to a truer estimate as to the character of their Christian walk, and seeing clearly the points wherein their failure is greatest.
It is manifest, however, that this, undoubtedly the best and most practical use to which our subject can be put, must be left to the individual reader to carry out. We can only suggest it, and express our firm conviction that none will prayerfully undertake it, without receiving a blessing in their own souls from God.
We see in the note prefixed to the subject a suggestion that we should attempt in these remarks some further division or classification. It will be clear that the limits of this paper entirely preclude us from doing so exhaustively. We may, however, point out that a christian’s life and conduct may be regarded from at least four standpoints. First, there is his own individual character, what he is in himself; then there is the way he is to act toward God, the way he is to act toward his brethren and the way he is to act toward the world at large. Glancing down the columns of our subject we see that in the First Division, viz., his own character, he is to Abhor evil Cleave to that which is good Rejoice Be patient in trouble Be prayerful Be lowly Provide everything honestly Be honest and peaceable Be liberal Persevere in well doing Abound in all good works Be full of love and joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance Be truthful Be proper in speech Be thankful Be blameless and harmless Be moderate in all things Be occupied with that which is good Love the things above Study to be quiet and mind his own business Abstain from all appearance of evil Bridle his tongue Not to swear Be obedient Be holy His character and actions Godward we place in the Second Division. In this the christian is to Keep God’s commands Obey God rather than man Serve the Lord Walk to God’s glory Seek to be acceptable to the Lord Press forward for the heavenly prize Make every request known to God Walk worthy of God Do all in Christ’s name Walk so as to please God Walk in God’s truth Seek to be found without spot of God Walk as Christ walked Walk so that Christ’s name may be glorified Submit himself to God Cast all his care on Him Keep Himself in God’s love The christian’s duty and bearing towards his brethren we may classify as follows in the Third Division. The christian in relation with other christians is to: Be peaceful Live honestly Be kind Honor others Be hospitable Be of like mind Care for the poor Regard the feeble Bear the burden of others Be submissive Be unmurmuring Be loving Be forbearing Be forgiving Comfort others Support others Be patient Lift up weary hands Not to backbite The last of the four divisions we have spoken of is the christian’s relation to the world at large. Fourth Division. In this he is to: Be unresisting to violence Love his enemies Return good for evil Sympathize Be subject Pay all dues Owe nothing Be anxious for others’ welfare Be unoffending Be doing good to all Be peaceful to all Honor all Pray for all Keep a good conscience But he is not to love the world or the things in it, he is not to be conformed to it, and he is to be separate from unbelievers.
Such then is a brief sketch of the leading practical qualities to be found in the Christian’s life, and we feel sure that on reading them through, the first thought will be how simple, how plain, how homely all these exhortations are. There is nothing here that savors of mysticism or transcendentalism. These are everyday virtues and graces. This is true, but then on the other hand, how many of these simple virtues grace your life and name, beloved reader? To practice them is indeed to become like Christ, to honor God, and to give a true testimony that none can gainsay to the world. We pray God then that in His gracious hands the practical outcome of this paper may be a more consistent, quiet Christ-like walk, and we would especially entreat the beloved members of the Students’ Class to whose labors we owe so much, not to rest content with “ laboring,” but also to “partake of the fruits,” and seek to make more of these beautiful graces their own.