Honorable Conduct
The apostle Peter wrote to the Christians
of the first century, who were in the midst of severe persecutions, to encourage them to persevere through those trials. Part of his exhortation was to admonish them to stand fast through the trials, but part of his exhortation was to live godly lives so that the unbelieving world would see how a true disciple should live. After admonishing them to "abstain from fleshly lusts which waragainst the soul," he then commanded that they would have their "conduct honorable" among the Gentiles [unbelievers] so that God would be glorified (1 Pet. 2:11, 12). I believe this is the pivotal point in Peter's letter, for "honorable conduct" would describe the behavior of a Christian who perseveres under trial and at the same time the behavior one who lives a godly life, though surrounded by worldliness. In either situation, when the world sees our "honorable conduct," they will take note of our way of life and God's name will be glorified. "Honorable conduct" is still needed among all believers still today, that God's name might be honored and not profaned or disparaged.
The word translated as "honorable" is the Greek word kalos, and is found almost 100 times in the New Testament, most often translated simply as "good" [86 times]. The term has a wide variety of applications, and can mean good; useful; valuable; virtuous; suitable; commendable; precious; noble; excellent; morally good; or, as found here, honorable. No matter which of these definitions we may apply, the emphasis is on our conduct, and we should not lose sight of the need to live honorably before all men;
how others judge us and Christianity as a whole will hinge on our conduct. And it is not to be merely an outward show, either.
Paul echoed the plea of Peter, when he addressed the Philippian brethren, saying, "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation and that from God." (Phlp. 1:27, 28) Here, Paul uses another phrase to say the same thing as Peter, equating "honorable conduct" with "conduct worthy of the gospel." In both cases, the writers [Peter and Paul] stress the fact that the world will be watching us and, in some cases, will either make judgments or glorify God because of what they observe. These are admonitions we would do well to heed today!
Whether we realize it or not, the world is watching us to see if we are consistent in our teaching and practice. The world is watching to see what it means to be a Christian. The world is watching to see if we are practicing what we preach. And, sad to say, some in the world are watching just so they can catch a Christian practicing unbecoming behavior and trumpet the imperfection before the rest of the world and thus justify himself in his
choice to live for his own worldly pleasures. It matters more than we may realize how we live. It matters how we conduct ourselves in the sight of our brethren and before the unbelieving world. [I emphasize again that this is not to be merely an outward show, either.]
Jesus gave command to the disciples on the Sermon on the Mount, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16) Jesus knew well that the world would be watching His disciples long after He left this earth, and His desire was that the world would glorify God when they observed their good works. He also knew that even the godless society in which any
disciple would live would know that Christians are supposed to be different than the rest of the world.
This could not be illustrated any better than His own words to the apostles when He said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) Oh, that we would realize what this truly means! I fear too many of us do not consider the importance of this passage, especially when considered in conjunction with the two earlier passages cited that demand we live honorably before the world.
They are all saying the same thing!
As Christians, we must live honorably, or in a way that demonstrates a sense of what is right, good, and honest. We must live lives that will demonstrate we are respectable in character and motive. We must live so as to bring honor not to ourselves, but to God and Christ. As Christians, we must live lives "worthy of the gospel," or in a way that the gospel message is seen in our very way of life. One who calls himself a Christian but does not live like one would be rightly called a hypocrite. Friends and brethren, I am afraid hypocrisy is making the rounds just as widely as the latest flu virus, and it is much more dangerous!
It saddens me to read some of the words my brethren are writing about one another, and with words for all the world to see, with no regard to the effect of their slanderous and damaging words. In the past, I have taken occasion to write brethren who have written articles in some of the 'brotherhood papers' who wrote some very unflattering words of men who did not agree with their particular stance on an issue, or who would call unbelievers by such terms as 'wackos,' 'nuts,' or 'weirdos.' Apparently, some think it is quite Christ-like to use such childish terminology to describe the very people we are trying to convert to Christ! Is it just me?
Am I completely off-base? Is it Christ-like to call unbelievers 'nuts,' 'wackos,' and 'weirdos'? Is it entirely befitting for a Christian to call his brother in Christ a liar and slanderer just because he does not agree with what I believe to be the truth?
And now, with the prevalence of the World Wide Web, some brethren are quick to set up web sites to attack their brethren, tout false doctrines, make fun of those who do not yet believe the gospel [and probably never will after reading some of their material], and to destroy the reputation of anyone who would oppose them. And who is reading this material? Well, we do not know for sure and therein lies the danger! I sincerely
doubt if some of these brethren actually think about the consequences of the words they write when other people read them! I sincerely doubt some of these brethren write with the attitude of love which means it is done with longsuffering, kindness, and humility, and is free of envy, arrogance, or evil sumrisings. Writing with love means we do not automatically assume the other has evil intent, we think good of others unless given evidence that would clearly demonstrate otherwise, and we look out for the interest of others before ourselves. This is the mind of Christ, brethren (Phlp. 2:1-8).
And if it wasn't bad enough that some brethren who are guilty of these things continue to conduct themselves dishonorably in spite of admonitions to cease and repent, these brethren are now demanding others others
start participating in "honorable discussion." [!] Let me ask you this question: Is it "honorable" to dismiss Brethren who disagree because they are not "important enough" to discuss the differences? Is it "honorable" to demean others who simply question our beliefs? Is it "honorable" to deign someone not worth our time when they sincerely seek an answer? I think not, and I have a hard time seeing Jesus treating others in such manner.
Brethren, the conduct we are showing to the world in the past few years is an outright shame, and I will predict right now that the consequence will be either an accelerated decline in the growth of the church or an increase in the number of congregations who run the opposite direction of such brethren and into the arms of liberalism.
Mark it down.
At no time should we surrender "honorable conduct" in the search for truth. In the end, when we stand before God and Christ having stood firmly for the truth but all without love it will profit us nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). The world is watching so, please, brethren, let us act honorably.
Steven Harper
Truth is as old as God
His Twin identity
And will endure as long as He
A Co-Eternity Emily Dickinson