Aspects Of Becoming Behavior
"1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. 3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks" (Ephesians 5:1-4)
Introduction
1. One of my parent’s frequentadmonitions was, "Behave yourself." There were a variety of infractions and violations that provoked such an admonition: teasing my younger siblings, being silly, refusing to do chores, challenging direct commands (e.g., it’s your bed time), etc.
2. The main objective of this lesson is to consider several aspects of what constitutes ‘becoming behavior’ among Christians.
[Let us first note that…]
I. We Are Called To Be A Holy People
A. We were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; Cp. 2 Timothy 1:9).
B. We were called through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
C. We were called to be holy:
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so you also be holy in all your behavior" (1 Peter 1:15)
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," (Ephesians 4:1)
"17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But ye have not so learned Christ" (Ephesians 4:17-20)
[Now let us consider some of the…]
II. Aspects Of Becoming Behavior
A. Behavioral attributes:
1. Good manners:
"44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment" (Luke 7:44-46)
2. Courteousness (1 Peter 3:8).
3. Considerateness (Titus 3:2).
B. Careful speech:
1. Abandon ALL inappropriate or unfitting speech:
"3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks" (Ephesians 5:3-4)
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." (Colossians 3:8)
2. Speak that which edifies and imparts grace:
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6)
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)
C. Good works:
1. We were created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10).
2. Good works are fitting for anyone who makes a claim to godliness (1 Timothy 2:10 > Titus 3:14).
3. We must ensure (find out) the good works we engage in are those prepared by God and not those of our own devising (Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:17).
D. Manner of dress:
"9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
"3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands" (1 Peter 3:3-5)
Conclusion
1. Throughout the world in all of time, God is known for His holiness and each of us has been elected and called by this same God.
2. It follows, then, that we who are called by a holy God should also walk in holiness:
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," (Ephesians 4:1)
3. The aspects of becoming behavior that we have examined are those which are often lacking among the saints: good manners, graceful speech, good works, and modest dress.
4. Brethren, let us each stir up the determination of mind to abandon the influences of the world and grow in the knowledge of the principles of true religion.
5. Such growth will only come through perseverance in study and application of God’s word (Read 2 Peter 1:1-11)
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