Category Archives: Conduct

Bible, Citizen, Conduct, Gospel, Heaven, Scripture, Testimony

WHETHER PRESENT OR ABSENT

PHILIPPIANS 1:27

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

I have shared before that years ago I worked for about six months at Walmart on their third shift (10 pm – 6 am). On that shift my job was to unload the trucks that arrived and stock shelves. It was a part-time job, but one I kind of enjoyed. A number of the employees, however, didn’t share the same attitude. They would look busy when the boss came by but would find places to hide and sleep or just goof off.

Paul wasn’t the Philippian believers’ boss, but he expected them to do the right thing whether he was present or absent. This verse is one we should all take to heart because He is coming soon. Amen? We need to be doing these same things today. Paul uses a Greek word here for “conduct yourselves” that is only used one other time in Acts 23:1 (we’ll see that in a minute). The word is politeuomai which means to live as a citizen. Let’s explore that.

APPLICATION

To live as a citizen means to live by the rules and laws of that city or country. One problem with illegal immigration is that they begin their life in the U.S. by breaking our laws. Now, don’t send me letters and postcards. I am just stating a fact. Being a good citizen implies maintaining the standard set by your community. In the Philippians’ case, Paul was exhorting them to live up to the standards set by Jesus.

In Acts 23:1, Paul is talking in his defense before the chief priests and the Jewish council. “Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.’” The phrase “have lived my life” is politeuomai. Paul had nothing to be ashamed of. He was living to please the Lord, not men. He was being a good citizen of heaven.

Are you living as a good citizen of heaven right now? Today is Easter Sunday. We have much to celebrate. Amen? We have the opportunity today to live in such a way that all those CEO (Christmas Easter Only) church goers that are in church today will marvel at our attitudes and worship. Live in such a way that the light of Jesus draws them like a moth to a streetlight. He is Risen!

O Lord, shine through me in every are of my life so that no matter where I am people will know that I am a citizen of heaven.

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Bible, Conduct, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

PERSONAL CONDUCT

COLOSSIANS 4:5

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

Personal conduct is lacking in our world today. Well, I should say “proper” personal conduct is lacking. There is a lot of conduct going on that is not good, not very Christ-like. But I can’t judge others. I can only judge my own conduct to see how it measures up to God’s Word. Every word I speak and every action I take reflects on Jesus. I have to remember that.

Paul was very aware of that and wanted the Colossian believers to be that salt and light to their unbelieving neighbors and friends. Remember, these early believers were living in a pagan society that worshipped all kinds of gods. They had all sorts of personal conduct that we would find reviling to God. Hmmm, kind of sounds like today, doesn’t it.

APPLICATION

What did Paul mean by “conduct”? The Greek word is peripateo means to walk about or manner of living. It’s written in the Present Imperative which means it’s a command that we are to continue to do all the time. Paul is telling the Colossians (and us) to live our lives in such a manner with all wisdom that unbelievers see it and are changed by it.

I am reminded of a verse in Matthew spoken by Jesus. Matthew 5:16 says, “‘Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.’” That’s a pretty good admonition, don’t you think? As we live our lives for Jesus, people are drawn to Him. They see the change in us. They notice how we behave when we face temptations and struggles.

Who is watching you? You see, that’s the problem. We really don’t know who is watching. So, we have to live our lives every day giving glory to Him who died to set us free from this world and all its temptations. Today, make your actions matter. Let your words reflect Jesus. Then look around to see who is watching. Don’t miss out on opportunities to lead someone closer to Him.

I do not know who is watching me today, Lord, so help me reflect Your glory.

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Bible, Christ, Conduct, Devil, Image, Mind

ACCORDING TO HIS IMAGE

COLOSSIANS 3:10

“and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it”

 

Our grandson is the perfect image of me! Just kidding. He does have my first name as his middle name. But he really resembles his mama and dad. He is the image of them both. When he is being good it’s his mama. When he’s mad it’s his dad. Not really. Just had to get a jab in for my great son-in-law.

We are all familiar with the Genesis story. “26 Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” I truly believe this is on Paul’s mind when he penned the words in today’s verse.

APPLICATION

You see, when we get rid of that old self, God renews us in His perfect image. We gain His knowledge and stop seeking the knowledge of the world. Just think about that. We gain the mind of Christ.

Whose image and knowledge and mind do you want? Christ’s or the devil’s? What a silly question. But what does the mind of Christ allow you to do? Why would you want that? With His mind you see the world differently. You see people differently. You simply live differently.

Today, as you go through your day, remember whose mind you have. When that old self is trashed (which is what Paul has been talking about these past few verses) you walk in victory. You walk with your head up. You walk looking upward and onward.

 

Father, I desire to live in Your image and with Your mind.

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Bible, Conduct, Living, Scripture, Walking

WHERE YOU WALKED

COLOSSIANS 3:7

“and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.”

Wow! When I think back to where I walked as a teenager, it’s a miracle I made it out. There is no need to go into detail here. Let’s just say I was walking in darkness and not light. Oh, I would step into the light when it promised something good for me. But I didn’t stay there long. Darkness seems to hide our sins much better, doesn’t it?

Paul uses the Greek word for “walked” to imply a manner of living, one’s conduct. But, for me, the key word in this verse is “once.” This little Greek word pote means in the past or formerly. This means this was past behavior. It’s not their current conduct. But it also reminds them of where they came from.

APPLICATION

Look back for a minute at your life before Christ. Do you remember those days? How was your conduct? It wasn’t too bad, Carl. Not too bad? It doesn’t have to have been real bad. If it wasn’t in line with Christ, then it was still bad. But the glory of our salvation changes everything. What was once true about us is not any longer.

Our past conduct does not determine our future position! Aren’t you glad? Ephesians 2:1-2a says this about this issue. “1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world,” WE WERE DEAD! What changed? God didn’t wait for you to clean yourself up before He changed your position. No! He sent His Son to die for us while were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

I am reminded of that old hymn, “Just As I Am.”

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come

Thank You, Lord, that I am not now what I once was.

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