Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 21
April 30, 1970
NUMBER 51, PAGE 2b-3a

Behavior In The House Of God

Lowell Blasingame

Proper behavior in the house of God should be a matter of paramount concern to each of us. Paul wrote Timothy expressing the hope to shortly visit with him but if delayed, that he might know how "thou, oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God," (I Tim. 3:14, 15). Proper behavior in the place of assembling ought to characterize us when we meet to worship and study God's word. Often a carnival type atmosphere pervades making it difficult for those who seek to worship God in spirit and in truth.

Through what has been said about our behavior in the place of assembly is true it is not the lesson that Paul is teaching Timothy. He identifies the house of God as the church of the living God and since the church is not a material building, it is not the house under consideration. Noah built an ark to the saving of his house (Heb. 11:8), which was his family or the eight souls who went into the ark (I Pet. 3:20). In like manner God's house is his family or church and Paul's concern was for proper behavior in this family relationship that we have with God.

It is a great honor for man to be a member of God's family and it is also one that entails serious obligations and duties. It is unfortunate that some do not consider these obligations as seriously as they ought and are often found misbehaving themselves in the house of God. Have you considered what misbehaving in the family of God will do for you?

It will cost you the loss of your influence for good. Probably none of us recognize just how far reaching our influence is. It may come as quite a shock in the day of judgment to learn that our influence has been the cause for another's being lost. Jesus taught that we are the salt of the earth but added that if that salt loses it savouring power that it is henceforth good for nothing but to be trodden under foot (Mt. 5:13). Have you through your misbehaving as a child of God lost your influence for good over others?

It may cause the doctrine of Christ to be blasphemed. Timothy was told to teach servants to honour their masters that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed (1 Tim. 6:1). The aged women were commanded to teach the younger women how to conduct themselves that they be not the cause for this (Tit. 2:3-5). Enemies of Christianity rejoice in the misbehavior of God's children because it gives them occasion to blaspheme the name of God and his doctrine.

Your misbehavior may cause others to stumble or be offended. We need to carefully consider the effect of our behavior upon others for it is a serious thing to cause others to offend or stumble (Mt. 12:41-42; 18:6).

It will bring dishonour upon the worthy name by which we have been called (Jas. 2:7). One has just reason for being ashamed for suffering for some things but he has no cause for it if he suffers for being a Christian (I Pet. 4:15-16). If our misbehavior in the house of God is the occasion for someone's sneeringly saying, "That's how good Christians behave!," we've brought reflection upon the worthy name by which we have been called.

May God help us to recognize the honor of being a member of his house and the need for properly behaving ourselves in it.

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