The Pursuit of Godliness

Devotional thoughts on Thomas Watson’s The Godly Man’s Picture

“Policy without piety is profound madness.” [Thomas Watson (1620-1686), The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666, reprinted by Banner of Truth, 1992]

I read these words this past week as I began to reread Thomas Watson’s wonderful little book entitled The Godly Man’s Picture. I’m afraid to say how hard these words hit me.

The idea of policy without piety is that of a sham, a hoax, a fraud. It is the epitome of hypocrisy and insincerity. Policy without piety is equal to doctrine without duty, learning without religion, knowledge without practice, and assent without devotion.

James passionately pleads with his indifferent readers to consider the validity of their profession apart from any apparent evidence. He queries, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” (Js. 2:14) Just as food that fails to sustain the body, or knowledge that is never applied, or a promise that is never fulfilled is worthless, so profession without apparent evidence is empty.

The Preacher exhorts us along the same lines in the conclusion of Ecclesiastes,

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (12:11-14)

Words of wisdom are beneficial. They are like goads to correct and firmly fixed nails to support because they are from God, the one Shepherd. Intellectual pursuits beyond the wisdom of God are nothing more than weariness and distraction from what is most important—truly beneficial. In the end, he states, intellectualism divorced from true piety is contrary to “the end of the matter”. The end of the matter is duty not mere intellectualism. The body of Ecclesiastes has shown that theory and practice are at odds with one another, and as G.S. Hendry, in his commentary on Ecclesiastes, wrote, “Theory and practice will remain at variance so long as we are under the sun. The reconciliation, the resolution of the discord awaits the time when faith will give place to sight and every hidden thing will be revealed.” (The New Bible Commentary: Revised. Guideposts: Carmel, NY. 1970, p. 578)

We see then that the Christian’s pursuit of maintaining consistency between policy and piety is a life long exercise. With that it is a duty we are enjoined to pursue with all of our energy although it is a challenge. To fail to do so is to resort to a life of futility, emptiness, and, as Watson put it, “profound madness.” But we are not left to despair, because we can hold to the same confidence as that of the apostle Paul, who writing from prison, testified that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13) Herein is the source of Paul’s joy and strength—him. That is Jesus Christ the Lord. Paul was by nature a zealous man. With great zeal he pursued the faith of his forefathers and with equal zeal he sought to uproot and destroy the Christian faith throughout the world. But then Jesus confronted him and showed him how that his policy was flawed and in direct opposition to God Almighty. Paul learned first that flawed policy with piety is "profound madness". From that moment of conversion Paul set out on a new course and pursued it in the strength of Christ with the same amount of zeal. He agonized and suffered many trials throughout his life maintaining a proper unity between right policy and piety. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the right policy. His life’s motto was “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)

Paul’s writings are not only full of his example of maintaining unity between policy and piety, but they are also full of instruction along the lines of Watson’s statement, “Policy without piety is profound madness.”

In Philippians alone we read the following:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. (1:27)

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twistedgeneration, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (2:14-16)

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (3:17)

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (4:6)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (4:8-9)

The fact that Paul exhorts his believing readers to conjoin duty to doctrine reminds us of fact that this is something that doesn’t come naturally. It is something that the church needs to be reminded of often. I am reminded of the early church of whom it is said that “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” (Acts 2:42, 44) Not only were they eager to learn more from the apostles, but what they had received and learned from them they immediately put into practice. This had such a profound affect upon their communities that many more came to faith in Jesus Christ and persecution from those who were hardhearted sharply increased.

Especially in the midst of the severe persecution the early church endured, it would have been “profound madness” to profess the name of Christ, but remain indifferent to Him. They would have risked there lives for something to which they were not devoted in the least.

What about me, you, us? Those of us in America know very little, if anything, about persecution. For us it is very easy to profess Christ and remain indifferent. It seems that this is a key element to many local mega-churches. The name of Jesus is everywhere even on their lips in vain as swear words. To many, it seems that Christianity is an additive. The gospel is reduced to “try Jesus.” This is, without a doubt, “profound madness.” This is not the gospel! This is a hoax, a shame, a fraud.

And how easy is it for you and me to fall into this same trap. We see it all around us, and we hear it on the “Christian” radio and TV stations. The world wants us to be more like them. They hate the truth especially when it causes distinctions and divisions. They are demanding that Christian policy be rewritten because they will not accept devotion to the truth. And we at times give in. We (I) buckle out of fear. Fear of ridicule. Fear of seeming odd.

God forgive me! God forgive us! If I need anything it is the constant reminder of my calling to pursue godliness. I need to be reminded of the great storehouse of grace that was opened to me when God forgave me and saved me. I need a renewed vision of the godly life. I need to meditate upon the affects godliness will have upon all of my relationships and responsibilities.

Watson expresses his desire for those who read The Godly Man’s Picture in his letter “To the Reader.” His desire, consistent with Paul, is that all “may be so enamoured with piety as to embrace it heartily.” “Godliness,” Watson writes, “consists in an exact harmony between holy principles and practices…. Godliness is our wisdom.”

In order to fulfill his desire for his readers, Watson undertakes the task of painting a portrait of the godly man. He begins the portrait by addressing the problem of sin and the need of forgiveness without which piety can never exist.

“For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee” (Psa. 32:6) is the subject of his first chapter.
Second, he expounds the Nature of Godliness.
Third, he reproves such as are only Pretenders to Godliness.
Fourth, he shows the Characteristics of a Godly Man.

A Man of Knowledge
A Man Moved by Faith
A Man Fired with Love
A Man Like God
A Man Careful About the Worship of God
A Man Who Serves God not Men
A Man Who Prizes Christ
A Man Who Weeps
A Man Who Loves the Word
A Man Who has the Spirit of God Residing in Him
A Man of Humility
A Man of Prayer
A Man of Sincerity
A Heavenly Man
A Zealous Man
A Patient Man
A Thankful Man
A Man Who Loves the Saints
A Man Who Does Not Indulge Himself in Any Sin
A Man Who is Good in His Relationships
A Man Who Does Spiritual Things in a Spiritual Manner
A Man Thoroughly Trained in Religion
A Man Who Walks with God
A man Who Strives to Be an Instrument for Making Others Godly

Fifth, he draws Two Conclusions about the Characteristics of a Godly Man
Sixth, he sets forth six specific Exhortations to Godliness

(i) Let men seriously weigh their misery while they remain in a state of ungodliness
(ii) What rare persons the godly are
(iii) To strive for godliness is most rational
(iv) The excellence of godliness
(v) There are only a few godly
(vi) Consider how vain and contemptible other things are, about which persons void of godliness busy themselves

Seventh, he prescribes some Helps to Godliness
Eighth, he lays forth an exhortation to Persevere in Godliness
Ninth, he draws forth motives to Persevere in Godliness
Tenth, he provides Counsel for the Godly
Eleventh, he assures that there is Comfort for the Godly
Finally, he shows the Mystic Union between Christ and the Saints

In his own words Watson admits that “so sublime is godliness that it cannot be delineated in its perfect radiance and luster, though an angel should take the pencil.” He concludes his letter to the reader by clarifying his method in drawing out this portrait. He explains, “Should I have enlarged upon any one characteristic of the godly man, it would have required a volume, but designing to go over many, I have contracted my sails, and given you only a brief summary of things.”

Watson’s style is straightforward and power packed. Every sentence is well thought out, concise and meaty. This is a delightful work to read and sure to be profitable to any soul zealous for godliness.

In the weeks to come I will attempt to take sections of this book at a time and expand upon them as we have done above. I would be grateful for humble interaction on these topics.

The Pursuit of Godliness