He is so reasonable...
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What does the Bible say about Christian behavior? (shared with permission)
Answer: When we talk about “Christian” behavior, we are talking about the behavior of those who have accepted, by faith, Jesus Christ as their Savior and thus are indwelt with His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), making it possible for them to serve God. Examples of Christian behavior are woven throughout Scripture. Indeed, our Savior Himself spoke at length about the way we are to behave toward others, friends and enemies. More than that, however, the life He lived, accentuated by His love and compassion for the lost, provides the consummate example of what Christian behavior should look like.
Christians are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). And these last four words “to do good works” epitomize the behavior that glorifies God and makes Christ real to others. Granted, there are obstacles in our daily lives that can encumber our minds and hinder our spiritual progress, but only if we let them. Nonetheless, Christians are called to live lives that are “holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1), and exemplary Christian behavior that allows us to fully commit ourselves to serving the Lord is made possible as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit who enables us to do the Father’s will (Romans 8:9). Indeed, “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Christians are a chosen people, belonging to God so that we may declare His praises (1 Peter 2:9). To “declare His praises,” then, it is essential that we spend time in His Word not just so we can learn how to behave in Christian fashion, but also so we can battle against the schemes of Satan. As the apostle Paul pointed out, without this biblical knowledge we are not only subject to buying in to every new teaching that comes along, but we can also fall prey to “the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14). However, knowledge alone is not enough; we are called to do more than to know and believe. Christians are to be “doers of the Word” (James 1:22). As the apostle James informs us, we are deceiving ourselves if we think we are spiritual by only hearing the Word. Hearing is not the same as doing. “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17, 26). Faith must be demonstrated by actions.
The “actions” that glorify our Father in heaven are those that bear much fruit (John 15:8). This is, in fact, how we show we are His disciples. Indeed, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—should be the hallmark of Christian behavior, especially love. Yet our tendency is to sometimes look down on unbelievers or those whose lifestyles are not in sync with our Christian faith, and this is where the Christian life can be challenging. It is easy to show love to those who walk as we do. It’s not always so easy to be kind to those who ridicule our beliefs, show contempt for our Savior, or make a mockery of the institutions that Christians hold sacred. Yet Christ taught us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Recall how He dealt with the woman caught in adultery. Her captors wanted her dead; our Savior showed compassion even though He was the One who would have to die for her (and our) sinful behavior (John 8:11). Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), not to condemn them (John 3:17), and if Christ did not come to condemn sinners, neither should Christians.
Christian behavior includes heeding Jesus’ call for us to be His witnesses to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We are to share the gospel, which Paul defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). As it was said, “Preach the gospel always, using words if necessary,” which means the validity of our witness is in how we live our lives. In the second half of Ephesians (chapters 4-6), Paul discusses Christian behavior which can best be summed up in these few words: “Be imitators of God…and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Paul urged the Romans to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:2). This, ultimately, is the essence of true Christian behavior – surrendering our hearts and yielding our bodies to Christ so He might continue God’s work through us. We are to be beacons of light in a dark world, using our spiritual gifts to advance His kingdom. It is living here on earth the way Jesus lived when He was here. It also means living to please one Person – God. We do this when we abide in His Word and then live it out as we are enabled by His Spirit, just as our Savior did until He took His last breath. As He was dying on the cross, Christ looked out at His executioners and asked His Father to forgive them (Luke 23:34). Jesus was doing more than fulfilling prophecy and making “intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12), He was practicing what He preached (Luke 6:27-28).
Recommended Resource: Who am I?: Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges
Answer: When we talk about “Christian” behavior, we are talking about the behavior of those who have accepted, by faith, Jesus Christ as their Savior and thus are indwelt with His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), making it possible for them to serve God. Examples of Christian behavior are woven throughout Scripture. Indeed, our Savior Himself spoke at length about the way we are to behave toward others, friends and enemies. More than that, however, the life He lived, accentuated by His love and compassion for the lost, provides the consummate example of what Christian behavior should look like.
Christians are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). And these last four words “to do good works” epitomize the behavior that glorifies God and makes Christ real to others. Granted, there are obstacles in our daily lives that can encumber our minds and hinder our spiritual progress, but only if we let them. Nonetheless, Christians are called to live lives that are “holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1), and exemplary Christian behavior that allows us to fully commit ourselves to serving the Lord is made possible as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit who enables us to do the Father’s will (Romans 8:9). Indeed, “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Christians are a chosen people, belonging to God so that we may declare His praises (1 Peter 2:9). To “declare His praises,” then, it is essential that we spend time in His Word not just so we can learn how to behave in Christian fashion, but also so we can battle against the schemes of Satan. As the apostle Paul pointed out, without this biblical knowledge we are not only subject to buying in to every new teaching that comes along, but we can also fall prey to “the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14). However, knowledge alone is not enough; we are called to do more than to know and believe. Christians are to be “doers of the Word” (James 1:22). As the apostle James informs us, we are deceiving ourselves if we think we are spiritual by only hearing the Word. Hearing is not the same as doing. “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17, 26). Faith must be demonstrated by actions.
The “actions” that glorify our Father in heaven are those that bear much fruit (John 15:8). This is, in fact, how we show we are His disciples. Indeed, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—should be the hallmark of Christian behavior, especially love. Yet our tendency is to sometimes look down on unbelievers or those whose lifestyles are not in sync with our Christian faith, and this is where the Christian life can be challenging. It is easy to show love to those who walk as we do. It’s not always so easy to be kind to those who ridicule our beliefs, show contempt for our Savior, or make a mockery of the institutions that Christians hold sacred. Yet Christ taught us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Recall how He dealt with the woman caught in adultery. Her captors wanted her dead; our Savior showed compassion even though He was the One who would have to die for her (and our) sinful behavior (John 8:11). Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), not to condemn them (John 3:17), and if Christ did not come to condemn sinners, neither should Christians.
Christian behavior includes heeding Jesus’ call for us to be His witnesses to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We are to share the gospel, which Paul defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). As it was said, “Preach the gospel always, using words if necessary,” which means the validity of our witness is in how we live our lives. In the second half of Ephesians (chapters 4-6), Paul discusses Christian behavior which can best be summed up in these few words: “Be imitators of God…and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Paul urged the Romans to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:2). This, ultimately, is the essence of true Christian behavior – surrendering our hearts and yielding our bodies to Christ so He might continue God’s work through us. We are to be beacons of light in a dark world, using our spiritual gifts to advance His kingdom. It is living here on earth the way Jesus lived when He was here. It also means living to please one Person – God. We do this when we abide in His Word and then live it out as we are enabled by His Spirit, just as our Savior did until He took His last breath. As He was dying on the cross, Christ looked out at His executioners and asked His Father to forgive them (Luke 23:34). Jesus was doing more than fulfilling prophecy and making “intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12), He was practicing what He preached (Luke 6:27-28).
Recommended Resource: Who am I?: Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges
Yes, I think we should be able to see Jesus in the hearts of His ppl, that discernment is key, especially within the church and within ourselves. I think though, how do we know if it is just a character flaw in someone else? Don't we all fall short? Aren't we all being sanctified? How do we know for sure that they really are not saved or that they are? Maybe it depends on the degree of ones offensive actions, because didn't He tell us not to seperate the wheats from the tares. However, if they are a conflict of interest for the flock they have to go? I do think that amongst all of us Christian's there are some very questionable behaviors, and it calls for us to react with the a reasonable nature, not step out of our faith. I think often it isn't until moments where we are tested that we have the opportunity to find out just how alive and well is He in our hearts. Are we growing, staying on the spirit, or diving into our flesh, quenching and grieving the spirit? I know that I do both but usually when challenged, I usually go through a wrestling of sorts just like Jachob. Sometimes, I get in my emotions, but He, more and more, seems to penetrate my knowing quicker so I can line up my thoughts and actions, deeds and emotions with His word. All I know is we all need Jesus, we need His mercy and we need His strength. I know that I don't have all the answers, thanks be to Him, He does.
Thanks y'all for your inputs brothers and sisters. Love you all. God Bless you and yours.
Thanks y'all for your inputs brothers and sisters. Love you all. God Bless you and yours.
Great post.
Certainly as we know God has told us he knows who are his and who are not. The warning of Jesus when he told us on the last day there will be those who call to him, Lord, Lord. And yet, he will answer , I never knew you. Matthew 7, verses 22-23. And Matthew 7:15-17.I don't think we're advised to go through this life taking everyone who assumes the mantel of Christian at their word. If that were so we'd not be warned by God to recognize false teachers. Those too carry the title Christian and yet their fruits do not bear that out. Nor do their words.
There are many televangelists that any one of us could name that would meet that standard of review and judgment. Because many can deceive, as we're warned, even the elect. Matthew 24:24.
2 Timothy 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness...
We should be aware there are false converts. That comes up when there inevitably re-appears a thread about OSAS. How some claim they can claim Christ and yet keep on sinning because those are always forgiven now and they're assured Heaven. Of course the Salvation promise of God through his grace is irrevocable. And no one who is of God makes a habit of sinning, as we're also told. Yet, if we do transgress God's expectations of us we know this and repent. And we have an advocate in Heaven, Jesus, on our behalf. Because , as we're told, God at the moment of our repentance of our sins in seeking redemption through God's grace, remembers those sins no more. And that then tells us he doesn't tally any such thing against our soul in future either. For we cannot be both a sinner and a saint at the same time.
Therefore, we are able to witness those who are false when claiming the name of Christ. In the public arena it is apparent in music celebrity that we see wearing diamond encrusted crosses so as to give the image impression they are a Christian. Yet, they're featured in entertainment news as partying at a strip club and making it rain while promoting the release of their latest CD that is filled with vulgar words and sinful messages.
The peace of Christ surpasses understanding. We are no longer of this world while we are still living within it.
I don't think , speaking with all respect and sharing this personal observation, that God would have sought to teach us how to recognize false teachers, which we all are when we are in Christ and are temples of the holy spirit living the Good News as its example of the change the spirit has upon our unique individual person, had he not meant us to incorporate that discernment everywhere we go.
We know for a fact there are those on the Net that are hostile to our faith. Even corporate entities like Twitter and Facebook serve to prove that one. We also know there are those who pretend to be in the faith , join Bible study forums, just to make a mockery of the faith by acting out as one bearing the title Christian. There's even a term for it. POE's Law.
We shall know them by their fruits. God will separate the wheat from the chaff in his own time. However, we on the other hand are also charged with recognizing the false ones. Because they can lead people astray. The wolves in sheep's clothing parable being an ever present reminder I think.
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits," (Matthew 7:15-20).
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For consideration and option to study. Edited to add: All links/articles are supported with corresponding scriptures.
The Berean Wife: Six Signs of a False Conversion
And from that linked site:
See also:
The Berean Wife: Six Signs of a False Conversion
And from that linked site:
See also:
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