Articles
Behavior in the Church
“… I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). Here Paul teaches that the “house of God” is the Lord’s church or family. To be in the church is to be in the family of God, as a child of God. It is a distinct honor to be saved and be added by the Lord to the church (Acts 2:47). No other relationship can equal the privilege of being in the church. We should therefore live in keeping with this heavenly privilege.
Because of our place of distinction we should be careful as to our behavior. Paul’s statement in I Timothy 3:15 is often applied to the conduct of worshippers in the assembly. It is right to stress reverence in worship but this passage is not the appropriate one to use. Other passages declare that our worship is to be sincere, fervent, reverent and spiritual (Mk. 7:6). Goodspeed translates this portion of scripture as, “how we are to conduct ourselves in the household of God.” W. E. Vine in his dictionary of New Testament words states that “behave” here means “to conduct oneself; indicating one’s manner of life and character.” The instruction here has a broader application than just worship assembly behavior. The purpose of such living is to grow in spiritual maturity and develop the likeness of Jesus in our life. When we become a Christian we become a “new man in Christ.” This means we have new attitudes, goals and service. In baptism we are raised to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). In this way our behavior will be commended by God.
The Christian life requires that we do good and refrain from evil. We are taught to live “soberly, righteously and godly as well as to “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts” (Titus 2:12). We are to bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith and self control (Gal. 5:22-23). The Christian behavior also involves adding the “Christian graces” taught in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Following the revelation of these virtues Peter reveals the reward for this adornment,“For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). The Christian’s manner of life should be compatible with the gospel. Paul commanded, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Phil. 1:27). In Ephesians 5:2-5 Paul gives an exhortation regarding how Christians should and should not live.
By our lifestyle we are able to influence others to become Christians. We are “epistles” or messengers to the lost. Through our lives we tell them there is hope and a better life for them. The Philippians were in the world “as lights” (2:15-16). Jesus taught, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). When good behavior in the lives of Christians is apparent, we exclaim in the words of the Psalmist, “Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever” (93:5).
