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

From: Bible Student: Volume 2, 1882

• 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).

But I say unto you that ye resist not evil. Matthew 5:39³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:39).

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44).

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).

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, Matthew 6:20²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20).

Take ye no thought for your life, Matthew 6:25²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Matthew 6:25).

Judge not, that ye be not judged, Matthew 7:1¹Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1).

Have peace one with another, Mark 9:50⁵⁰Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. (Mark 9:50).

Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he corneal shall find watching, Luke 12:37³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37).