A Christian's Behavior

1. A Christian’s behavior –15th
May 2016
“
Here is a trustworthy sayingthat deserves full acceptance: ChristJesus came intothe worldto save
sinners—ofwhomI am the worst” (1 Timothy1:15).
Whenwe talkabout “Christian”behavior,we are talkingabout the behaviorof those whohave
accepted,byfaith,JesusChristastheirSaviorandthus are indweltwithHisHolySpirit thatmakes it
possible forthemtoserve God.We can learnfrom Romans8:9, “
You,however, are not inthe realmof
the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit,if indeedthe Spirit of Godlivesin you.And if anyonedoes
not have the Spiritof Christ,they donot belongto Christ”. Examplesof Christianbehaviorare woven
throughoutScripture.Indeed,ourSaviorHimselfspoke atlengthaboutthe waywe are to behave
towardothers,friendsandenemies.More thanthat,however,the lifeHe lived,accentuatedbyHislove
and compassion forenablingthe losttobe saved,providesthe consummate example of whatChristian
behaviorshouldlooklike.
Christiansare “God’sworkmanship,createdinChristJesustodogoodworks as we learnfrom Ephesians
2:10, “ For we are God’shandiwork,created inChrist Jesus to do goodworks, which Godprepared in
advancefor us to do”.Andthese lastfourwords “todo good works” epitomizethe behaviorthat
glorifiesGodandmakesChristreal andmade known to others.Granted,there are obstaclesinourdaily
livesthatcan encumberourmindsandhinderourspiritual progress,butonlyif we letthem.
Nonetheless,Christiansare calledtolive livesthatare “holyandpleasingtoGod as we can read in
Romans12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothersand sisters, inview of God’smercy, to offer yourbodies
as a livingsacrifice,holyandpleasingto God—thisisyourtrue and proper worship”.Itis our
exemplaryChristianbehaviorthatallowsusto fullycommitourselvestoservingthe Lord.Thisismade
possible aswe are empoweredbythe HolySpiritwhoenablesustodo the Father’swill aswe readin
Romans 8:9: “
You, however, are not in the realm of the fleshbut are inthe realmof the Spirit, ifindeed
the Spirit ofGod livesin you”…
Christiansare a chosen andtherefore belongingtoGodso thatwe maydeclare Hispraises:“Butyou are
a chosen people,a royal priesthood,aholy nation,God’sspecial possession,thatyoumaydeclare the
praisesof him whocalledyou out of darknessinto hiswonderful light”(1Peter 2:9). To “declare His
praises,”then,itisessential thatwe spendtime inHisWordnotjust learnfor ourselvesto live a
Christianlife,butalsosowe can battle againstthe schemesof Satanandthat can be a whole multitude
of it.Asthe apostle Paul pointedout,withoutthisbiblical knowledge we are notonlysubjecttobuying
into everynewteachingthatcomesalong,butwe can alsofall preyto“the cunningandcraftinessof
menintheirdeceitful scheming:“Thenwewill no longerbe infants,tossedbackand forth by the
waves, andblownhere andthere by every windof teachingand by the cunningandcraftinessof
people intheir deceitful scheming. (Ephesians4:14).
However,knowledgealone isnotenough; asChristians we are calledtodomore than to know and
believe. AsChristianswe are required tobe “doersof the Word” as we can learnfrom James 1:22, “Do
not merely listento the word, andso deceive yourselves. Do what it says”.Asthe apostle James

2. informsus,we are deceivingourselvesif we thinkwe are spiritual byonlyhearingthe Word.Hearingis
not the same as doing. We can learnfromJames2:17.”In the same way, faithby itself,ifit is not
accompaniedbyaction,is dead.” (James 2:17). Our Christian Faithmustbe demonstratedby our
actions.
Againinreference toChristian behavior,the “actions”thatglorifyourFatherinheavenare those that
bearmuch fruitinfulfillingHisrequirements.We canlearnin John15:8, “This isto my Father’s glory,
that you bear muchfruit, showingyourselvesto be my disciples.”.Thisis,infact,how we can show
that we are Hisdisciples.Indeed,the fruitof the Spirit shouldbe the hallmarkof Christianbehavior-
especiallylove forone another!.We canlearnfrom Galatians5:22-23, “But the fruitof the Spiritis
love, joy,peace, forbearance,kindness,goodness,faithfulness, 23
gentlenessandself-control.Against
such thingsthere is no law. Yet our tendencyistosometimeslookdownonunbelieversorthose whose
lifestylesare notinsync withour Christianfaith,andthisiswhere the Christianlife canbe challenging.
Because iseasyto showlove tothose whowalkas we do but notalwaysso easyto be kindto those who
ridicule ourbeliefs,show contemptforourSavior,ormake a mockeryof the institutionsthatChristians
holdsacred.
As Christianswe needtorememberthat Jesus Christtaughtusto love ourenemiesandtopray forthose
whopersecute us as we can learnfromMatthew 5:44, “But I tell you, love yourenemies and pray for
those who persecute you, 45
thatyou may be childrenof your Father inheaven” We can alsorecall how
Christdealtwiththe womancaughtin adultery.Hercaptorswantedherdead;our Saviorshowed
compassioneventhoughHe wasthe One whowouldhave to be the atoningsacrifice and die forher
(andall humanities) sinfulbehavior. Onthisinstance we canlearnwhere Jesus’said “ThenneitherdoI
condemnyou,” Jesus declared. “Gonowand leave yourlife of sin” (John8:11). The gospelsreachesus
that JesusChristcame intothe worldto save sinners andnotto condemnthem as we readfrom John
3:17, “For God didnot send hisSon intothe worldto condemn the world,but to save the world
throughhim”. Therefore asChristians we mustalwaysrememberthatif Christdidnotcome to
condemnsinners, andhence neithershould we inourChristianlife’s behavior.

3. “
Here is a trustworthy sayingthat deserves full acceptance: ChristJesus came
intothe worldto save sinners—ofwhomI am the worst” (1 Timothy1:15).