June 5, 2019

Author: Pastor Gordon Cook
June 05, 2019

Matthew 5:1-11

This is a good passage to see a composite of the children of God. “The Godly Man’s Picture”, a book by Puritan Thomas Watson, sketches out a picture of several characteristics of a godly man or woman. In typical Puritan fashion, he has twenty-four. We will only focus on a few.

One characteristic of a godly person is humility. What is a text of Scripture that supports this? We could certainly use the Beatitudes, “blessed are the poor in spirit”. Humility should shape our words and attitudes. It is the opposite of pride.  Another characteristic of a godly person is patience. We could reference the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5. Also, James speaks of the patience of Job.

A godly man, says Mr. Watson, is a thankful man. We could look at the Psalmist and the Apostle Paul as examples of thankful men. How about faith? Hebrews 11 is a good place to go; all the saints are set before us in the gallery of faith.

A godly man is one who weeps. The Beatitudes remind us, “blessed are they that mourn.” A godly man loves the saints. We can look at the books of John, who tells us those who love God also love the brethren.

The godly man strives to be an instrument for helping others to be godly. Where do we see this in Scripture? All the “one another” commands. Also, Hebrews exhorts us to stir one another up to good works. A godly man is one who loves God’s Word. Psalm 119 and Psalm 1 are good texts which could be used.

Mr. Watson says, a godly man prizes Christ. We could go to the Apostle Paul and his desire to know Christ. Peter talks about Christ being precious to those who know Him. Finally, a godly man is one who prays. We could look at all the historical narratives, of Abraham, Elijah, Job and most of all the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul’s epistles begin and end with prayer. The first time we see the regenerated Paul, in Acts 9, he prays. Watson says, “When God comes down into us by His Spirit, we go up to Him by prayer.”

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