Character of a Godly Man

1 John 2:6 “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

Christ, by definition, is the best that a man can be. When talking about the character of a Godly man, we’re really talking about the character of Christ. When we are born again and Christ lives in us, His character will be seen in us, and His nature will be known. At the same time, no man can truly measure up to Jesus. But a man must have a heart to follow Christ even though he will struggle in various areas of life. The question is this: does the man have a heartfelt desire to walk as Christ walked? Moreover, does this desire translate into daily action?

One of the best revelations God gave me was that I cannot make my wife happy. In fact, I cannot make anyone happy. The overwhelming majority of people will only be happy with a lukewarm faith that expects next to nothing out of them. So, having the faith of Jesus Christ will, unfortunately, turn away most people. No matter.

His character was hated when He visited us 2000 years ago and it will be hated today as well. His character will be seen as overbearing and filled with chains and restrictions rather than being seen for the freedom that it is. His character will be seen as boring and unfulfilling rather than filled with the joys of simplicity of being in God’s presence. His character will be seen as false Christianity, when it is by His character that Christianity was established. His character will be seen as weak, rather than meek. His character will be seen as ungodly and legalistic, rather than obedient. And so, you that when His character is working the miracles of change within you, others will see you as moving backwards in faith.

Growing closer to God and developing the character of Christ will always be seen by those who do not desire His character to be their own as religious nuttery. It is no mistake that the very character which God loves, is the character the world despises.

Failure, on our part, of properly expressing the character of Christ will always be perceived as a failure of faith. But part of having the character of Christ is having a heartfelt desire to be better, to be changed, to be perfected.

This sermon series will also help in the case of looking for a future friend or spouse. First and foremost, if the person you want to marry loves you more than God … they are wrong.

Do you want to know why the phrases “be a man” and “man up” are so hated today? Because God said these phrases first. Anything God says will be hated by the devil and his servants.

Job 38:3 “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.”

Job 40:6-7 “Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.”

1 Samuel 4:9 “Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.”

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Boldness

Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Acts 4:29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”

Humility

Isaiah 66:2 “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Gentleness

Psalm 18:35 “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

1 Thessalonians 2:7 “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:”

Strength

Psalm 18:32 “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.”

David, though a sinner like you and me, had a perfect faith

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Be uncompromising

Generosity

Acts 17:25 “Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

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Hospitality (Entertain Strangers)

Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

1 Peter 4:9 “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

Patience

Psalm 86:15 “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

Romans 5:3-4 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

Patience is one of those things which definitely improves with time and experience. As it is said in Romans, tribulation helps us become more patient. Will we have perfect patience all the time? No, but improvements will be made. Look at how I used to be. I used to be instant to violence when provoked. It used to be the case that I was ready to kill anyone who even looked at me sideways. Today, though I lose my patience at time, the Lord has blessed me with such a tremendous amount of patience that I never thought I could have!

Truthful

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Ephesians 4:14-15 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Attentive

Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”

Faithful

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”

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Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”

Discretion (“good judgment”)

Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.”

Proverbs 22:3 “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Responsibility

Matthew 12:36-37 “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Confidence

Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

Psalm 121:2 “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Dependent on God

Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Trusts God when their faith is under attack

Trust God despite disturbing circumstances

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

Realizes God can and will use difficult circumstances for our good.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Genesis 50:19-20 “And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

Forgives offenders and lets God deal with them.

1 Peter 2:19-20 “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”

Willing to let go of offenses and never seeks to avenge himself.

Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

A real man doesn’t put his woman first. A real man puts God first because he knows he has to follow God in order to lead his lady.