This Month's Subject: The Characteristics of a Truly Godly Walk

 •  10 min. read  •  grade level: 9
The subject worked out for this month is—
The characteristics of a truly godly walk, being a full list of the qualities and graces proper to every believer.
We have already had before us (in the May number) the blessings and privileges that may characterize a believer in virtue of a godly walk, and our subject for this month is limited to that which characterizes a godly walk itself. We make this remark, as otherwise some of the class might think that their work had been overlooked, whereas in reality it has already occupied us.
We have not on this occasion attempted any division of the subject, the divisions that at once suggest themselves being so numerous and bearing upon almost every aspect of life, and being perhaps more suitably left for the remarks to be made next month. Nor have we inserted passages indicating the character of walk proper for certain special spheres of service, as for instance that which should characterize a bishop or deacon as in 1 Tim 3 but we have briefly indicated some of the passages bearing more particularly upon special relationships in life as husband and wife. We may add that the description of and exhortations to, a godly walk being as a rule more concise in the Epistles than the Gospels, we have more frequently quoted from the former. In the latter it is preeminently Christ Himself who is our example, and with this we were occupied in January last. In the Acts also the example of the Apostles is our chief instruction, and this we have not felt to be quite in the limit of our subject, having already been considered this year (February).
1.—The Gospels And Acts.
Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:33Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)); the meek (v. 5.); the merciful (v. 7); the pure in heart (v. 8); the peacemakers (v. 9).
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:1616Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16).
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect, Matthew 5:4848Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48).
When thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth, Matthew 6:33But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (Matthew 6:3).
Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations, Luke 16:99And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Luke 16:9).
If ye love me, keep my commandments, John 14
THE EPISTLES.
1 Corinthians 13
Having therefore these promises... let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, 2 Corinthians 7:11Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1).
The fruit of the Spirit.
Being blameless and harmless, shining as lights in the world, Philippians 2.15.
Pressing forward to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:1414I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14).
Careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving making requests known to God, Philippians 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6).
Increasing and abounding in love toward one another and toward all men,
Walking so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified.
Being perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Timothy 3:1717That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17). The grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men (marg.) hath appeared, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11-1311For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:11‑13).
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King, 1 Peter 2:1717Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (1 Peter 2:17).
And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue: and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness: and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity, 2 Peter 1:5-75And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:5‑7).
Diligence in order to be found of Gad without spot, blameless, 2 Peter 3.14.
Special exhortations—
Pure 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. James 1:2727Pure 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. (James 1:27).