Oh, that the eyes of sinners may be speedily opened—that they may see the difference of things, the beauty which is in holiness, and the astonishing madness that is in sin!
~Thomas Watson~
The Great Gain of Godliness (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 2006) Part 2: The Good Effects of Godliness;Section C: The Difference Between the Righteous and the Wicked.
Ever since God exhibited himself to us as a Father, we must be convicted of extreme ingratitude if we do not in turn exhibit ourselves as his sons. Ever since Christ purified us by the laver of his blood, and communicated this purification by baptism, it would ill become us to be defiled with new pollution. Ever since he ingrafted us into his body, we, who are his members, should anxiously beware of contracting any stain or taint. Ever since he who is our head ascended to heaven, it is befitting in us to withdraw our affections from the earth, and with our whole soul aspire to heaven. Ever since the Holy Spirit dedicated us as temples to the Lord, we should make it our endeavour to show forth the glory of God, and guard against being profaned by the defilement of sin. Ever since our soul and body were destined to heavenly incorruptibility and an unfading crown, we should earnestly strive to keep them pure and uncorrupted against the day of the Lord. These, I say, are the surest foundations of a well-regulated life, and you will search in vain for any thing resembling them among philosophers, who, in their commendation of virtue, never rise higher than the natural dignity of man.
~John Calvin~
A Guide to Christian Living (Edinburgh, Scotland; Banner of Truth Trust) Chapter 1:3.
QUESTION: What may we do to walk with God?
ANSWER 5: If you desire to walk with God, take hold of His arm. Those who walk in their own strength will soon grow weary and tire. ‘I will go in the strength of the Lord God’ (Psa. 71:16). We cannot walk with God without God. Let us press Him with His promise: ‘I will cause you to walk in my statutes’ (Ezek. 36:27). If God takes us by the hand, then we shall ‘walk, and not faint’ (Isa. 40:31).
~Thomas Watson~
The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 183.
QUESTION: What may we do to walk with God?
ANSWER 4: If you desire to walk with God, get a liking for the ways of God. They are adorned with beauty (Prov. 4:18); they are sweetened with pleasure (Prov. 3:17); they are fenced with truth (Rev. 15:3); they are accompanied with life (Acts 2:28); they are lengthened with eternity (Hab. 3:6). Be enamored with the way of religion and you will soon walk in it.
~Thomas Watson~
The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 183.
QUESTION: What may we do to walk with God?
ANSWER 3: Get all differences removed. ‘Can two walk together, except they are agreed?’ (Amos 3:3). This agreement and reconciliation is made by faith: ‘Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood’ (Rom. 3:25). When once we are friends, then we shall be called up the mount like Moses, and have this dignity conferred on us, to be the favorites of heaven and to walk with God.
~Thomas Watson~
The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 183.
QUESTION: What may we do to walk with God?
ANSWER 2: If you wish to walk with God, get acquainted with Him: ‘Acquaint now thyself with him’ (Job 22:21). Know God in His attributes and promises. Strangers do not walk together.
~Thomas Watson~
The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 183.
QUESTION: What may we do to walk with God?
ANSWER 1: Get off the old road of sin. He that would walk in a pleasant meadow must turn off the road. The way of sin is full of travelers. There are so many travelers on this road that hell, though it is of a great circumference, would gladly enlarge itself and make room for them (Isa. 5:14). This way of sin seems pleasant but the end is damnable. ‘I have’, says the harlots, ‘perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon’ (Prov. 7:17). See how with one sweet (the cinnamon) there were two bitters (myrrh and aloes). For that little sweet in sin at present there will be a far greater proportion of bitterness afterwards. Therefore get out of these briars. You cannot walk with God and sin: ‘what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?’ (2 Cor. 6:14).
~Thomas Watson~
The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 182.
E. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW GODLY
They are like the gleanings after vintage. Most receive the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:17). The devil keeps open house for all comers, and he is never without guests. This may prevail with us to be godly. If the number of the saints is so small, how we should strive to be found among these pearls! ‘But a remnant shall be saved’ (Rom. 9:27). It is better to go to heaven with a few than to hell in the crowd.
~Thomas Watson~
The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 204.
The Old Guys 
John Calvin – The Armor of God
14 Jun10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:10-11
Put on the whole armor. God has furnished us with various defensive weapons, provided we do not indolently refuse what is offered. But we are almost all chargeable with carelessness and hesitation in using the offered grace; just as if a soldier, about to meet the enemy, should take his helmet, and neglect his shield. To correct this security, or, we should rather say, this indolence, Paul borrows a comparison from the military art, and bids us put on the whole armor of God. We ought to be prepared on all sides, so as to want nothing. The Lord offers to us arms for repelling every kind of attack. It remains for us to apply them to use, and not leave them hanging on the wall. To quicken our vigilance, he reminds us that we must not only engage in open warfare, but that we have a crafty and insidious foe to encounter, who frequently lies in ambush; for such is the import of the apostle’s phrase, the wiles of the devil.
~John Calvin~
Calvin’s Commentaries – Ephesians (Spokane, WA; Olive Tree Bible Software; http://www.olivetree.com) Commentary on Ephesians 1:3.
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