The Christian’s Code of Conduct

At times I’ve wondered about God’s “favor” and if suffering is always a part of the Christian walk.

I know that there are consequences to our choices (good and bad), yet God is sovereign as well as merciful and gracious: He has within His power to absolve us from a consequence if it fits His purposes.

In spite of that, there must be a foundation upon which we, as Christians, should choose to operate, all for the glory of God. These truths may not always result in what the world considers “favor,” “prosperity,” or even “happiness.” In fact, the results of living the Christian life aren’t always attained here, this side of heaven.

Paul gives an honest look at the Christian’s code of conduct in 2 Corinthians.

Giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited. –2 Corinthians 6:3.

The world may hate us, and they are always looking for a way to discredit Jesus, the Bible, pastors, and every Christian. As such, as believers, we should give them no cause to discredit the gospel.

But in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger … –2 Corinthians 6:4-5.

The longer I get in my walk with God, the more I realize that it really isn’t about living a life in total “victory.” Jesus was victorious over the grave by rising from the dead and paying my debt of sin. That’s the only victory that matters. Look at the list Paul writes for God’s servants: afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, sleeplessness (any parents of newborns out there?), and hunger. Are those things we readily accept in our daily lives? Or do we consider them things that the believer ought not to endure?

in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God. –2 Corinthians 6:6-7.

Paul lists the “negatives” first before he focuses on the more “positive” attributes. I’d like to believe he did that because he knew one day that we’d lose sight of them. But notice in these positives it’s nothing of ourselves. It’s all through “the word of truth, in the power of God.”

By the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true. –2 Corinthians 6:7-8.

If anyone considers you a deceiver because you are a Christian, you are in great company. Not only did they consider Paul to be a deceiver but Jesus Himself was considered one.

“Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’” –Matthew 27:63.

The chief priests and the Pharisees had gone to Pilate after the crucifixion to request his help in safeguarding Jesus’ tomb. They remembered Jesus saying He would rise in three days but in spite of it all, they considered Him–the King of Kings–a deceiver.

As unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. –2 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Next time someone calls you a “nobody,” remember that even Paul was considered a “nobody.” And yet, that nobody was a huge contributor of the New Testament!

Again, I’d like to believe that Paul brings things back into perspective and reminds us that in spite of us dying, we live. In spite of us being punished, we aren’t put to death. Both of which may cause us to be sorrowful but we still rejoice.

Try as I might, I cannot  hold to the prosperity gospel when I read passages such as “poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.” Paul is not speaking of material wealth. That is of the world.

If you’re a Christian, and you wonder why we need to patiently go through various trials, Paul has a simple explanation:

we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. –1 Corinthians 9:12.

May He Increase!