From Jesus' "classroom on the mount" we get a sense of the kind of person who might be called Godly or righteous. Looking specifically at the passage from Matthew 5:21 to 5:37, we can draw the following conclusions:
- The Godly person that Jesus commends is never insulting, demeaning or even "angry with his brother or sister." This anger would indicate a lack of forgiveness, a lack of generosity. This person is instead in control of his or her passions, especially where injury to another is possible. Apart from such control we have bickering, law suits, and even violence.
- The Godly person does not see others as objects of sexual lust. This must be combatted with a kind of inward ruthlessness. It is the source and origin of much sin.
- Related to this, divorce is a symptom of marital dysfunction. Elsewhere the Bible commends the enduring and forebearing nature of love. The Godly person's marriage is marked by such an attitude of enduring and forebearing love.
- The Godly person will never lie, is not afraid of the truth. His or her word is always reliable and trustworthy.
Imagine a family or a small community where these character traits were always evident among all its members. What would that be like?
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