It has been said that “a child is not likely to find a father in God unless he finds something of God in his father.” Recently a gentleman asked the preschool class in their Sunday school to draw a picture of God. The intent was to use them as an illustration for the Sunday sermon. Toward the end of class, the children were excited to show off their work. They came up with rainbows and men with big hands. Finally, the daughter of this man showed him her picture: a man with a suit and tie on. “I don’t know what God looks like,” she said, “so I just drew my daddy instead.” What an awesome responsibility. You can live and blossom into the good man God wants you to be. A man who is respected and who models God the Father. What are some of the Bible characteristics of a good man? That’s what we are going to take a look at in today’s blog.

The Zoe Life of God in the Person of Jesus

[Tweet “If you make your God important, He is likely to return the favor.”]

What Does God Say a Good Man Is?

Acts 11:22–24 (ESV) — 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

• According to this verse, he is a man full of the Holy Ghost, and full of faith.

A Good Man is Full of the Holy Ghost

• What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Ghost?

Ephesians 5:18–21 (KJV) — 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

• In these verses in Ephesians, notice the traits of those who live a life full of the Spirit.
  • They speak in psalms. hymns and spiritual songs.
    • These are songs that arise within you by the Spirit of God in your heart.
  • He makes melody in his heart to the Lord
  • A good man is a thankful man: he expresses gratitude unto God for all things in his life.
  • He respects others allowing them to have their way all within the framework of the fear of the Lord.

A Good Man Takes His Direction from a Good God

Psalm 37:23 (KJV) — 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way.

• One gentleman said the following about fatherhood.

Becoming a father is easy enough, but being one can be rough.¹

• In other words, talking a good game is one thing but actually walking the talk is a completely different story.
• Fatherhood becomes a curse if there isn’t Godhood in the house.
• Somebody has to set the God standard in the home.
• Men, who lead the home should be strong enough to say:
  • This is a Christian home.
  • If you live in this house, you are going to church.
  • You will not dishonor Jesus with your life.
• A good father is first a good man.
• And, a good man is a Spirit-led man.
• Notice the scripture says his steps are ordered by the Lord.
• But, his STOPS are also ordered by the Lord.
• He assumes the leadership role in his family and provides direction for it.
• He takes his directions from God’s Word – the Bible

A Good Man Shows Favor

Psalm 112:5 (KJV) — 5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: He will guide his affairs with discretion.

• This speaks of generosity.
• A generous man forgets what he gives and remembers what he receives.

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses. — Chinese Proverb

• A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
• One Sunday morning, a 6-year-old boy, Joshua, was busy dressing for Sunday school. When it was time for the family to leave, he came out of his room carrying his entire stock of neckties. When his father asked him why he was doing this, he eagerly replied, “‘Cause, Mom, Reverend Wyser told us to put our ties in the offering!”
• This little one had giving heart.
• One person said, “Money is like manure; spread it around and it will do a world of good – pile it up and it stinks to high heaven.”
• The writer of Proverbs says it better.

Proverbs 11:24 (KJV) — 24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

• The New Living Translation has it as.

Proverbs 11:24 (NLT) — 24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

• Needless to say, a good man understands God’s laws of giving and receiving.

A Good Man Obtains Favor

Proverbs 12:2 (KJV) — 2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

• Goodness is contagious and so is the favor that goes with it.
• Everybody around a good man experiences that favor.
• When you marry a good man, you get a taste of God’s favor.
• There is a blessing that comes from heaven to men that are good.
• The word ‘favor’ means pleasure, delight, goodwill, or acceptance.
• It pleases God when men are good – when men do good.

Hebrews 13:6 (KJV) — 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Call to Action

• If you are doing good you can take heart in these words:
  • God favors me today
  • God honors me today
  • I am a success today
  • God makes His face to shine upon me
  • God is gracious to me
  • I am someone very special with the Lord.
• If you make your God important, He is likely to return the favor.

Just Who Is Jesus to You?

__________
References:

Related posts:

Why Praying in Faith Means to Believe You Receive [Encore Podcast]