Conduct refers to the manner in which a person behaves. There is a conduct expected of every believer. From the moment we became born again, certain things became expected of us, from God who saved us, and the world we were saved from. Many Christians forget too easily that salvation doesn’t take care of the spiritual alone. It must also reflect in our behavior towards people, situations, and things.
Now, it is important to note that conduct cannot replace salvation. It is rather an evidence of salvation. Your conduct as a Christian is not what saved you but it is an outward revelation of an inner transformation. Paul was so full of hate, particularly for Christians prior to salvation. When he got saved, he began conducting himself in a manner that shocked even the believers around him. There was outward evidence of what Jesus had done to his inner man. (Acts 9:21-22)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 BSB
If we have been saved by God, the least we can do is to live a life that glorifies Him. The way we conduct ourselves as Christians is important for God’s glorification. Whatever doesn’t bring glory to God is not pleasing to Him. When we behave in the manner that is expected of us, we glorify God.
The word “Christian” should not need to be backed up with other adjectives like “true” or “good”. When a person says I’m a Christian, the meaning should be understood instantly. Being a Christian should inherently imply a certain standard of behavior and character.
The reason why people will make remarks like “and he is a pastor” or “and she said she’s a Christian” when a believer is found faulting is that there is a certain expectation the world has. They may not necessarily believe in the transformation power of the name of Jesus but they knowingly or unknowingly look out for the fruits of your claimed salvation.
The world is watching, no, waiting to see what Christians will do. They want to know if we will actually be the light we claim to be or if we will blend in so easily with darkness. The day you made Jesus your Lord, you became an object of observation and scrutiny. When the world begins to have the idea that we are no different from them, then we have failed to uphold the conduct expected of us as Christians. (1 Pet. 3:16)
Take note that I said “no different” not “no better”. No believer is better than an unbeliever. It is Christ in us that makes the difference. We can be different from them because of the new nature we have received but we are not better.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:12
Why is it so important?
It is a practical way of telling the whole world to whom we belong. It is a practical way of representing Jesus Christ.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Php. 2:5
Did you know that the word “Christian” was not coined by Jesus or any of the disciples for that matter? People saw the lifestyle and behavior of the disciples at Antioch and began calling them Christians. They called them that because they recognized their conduct followed a pattern; that of Jesus. They instantly associated them as His followers. (Acts 11:26)
When a Christian behaves badly, he misrepresents Jesus. We all desire that one day, all of the world will pick up a bible, read it, and be transformed by it. But till then, Christians are the bible the world reads.
One person that comes to mind is Naomi. Although she wasn’t a Christian–since Jesus Christ hadn’t come to earth in flesh yet–she was a follower of God. From the way her daughters-in-law responded to her decision to leave Moab and return to Israel alone, it is obvious that this woman was very good to them. Ruth had never been to Israel. She most likely wasn’t familiar with the God of Israel but she definitely saw something in Naomi who served the God of Israel that made her say “Your God shall be my God”. (Rth. 1:8-16)
Jesus did not preach to Zaccheus before he became born again. It was the way Jesus behaved towards Zaccheus that made him repent. We do more for the kingdom of God and rightly represent Jesus when we conduct ourselves as we ought to.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Colossians 4:5 NIV
This does not mean that evangelism is irrelevant and Christians should only focus on character building. However, it also plays a critical role in evangelism because it directly affects it. When a person gives their life to Christ and allows the transformation power of the Holy Spirit to manifest such that others can see, it makes it easier for such a person to walk up to an unbeliever to tell them “Jesus transforms”. It is glaring enough for the unbeliever to see.
When a person generally known to be upright picks up a bible and says “I would like to share the word of God with you” they will command more attention than a Christian who is notorious for causing trouble and fighting. It is more honorable for a Christian to be ignored because of the hardness of the receiver’s heart than to be ignored because the Christian doesn’t practice what he preaches.
The only suffering acceptable for us is that we suffer for Christ’s sake and not because we have been found as offenders. Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name (1 Pet. 4:15-16).
In conclusion, it’s easy for one to slip into pretense when trying to conduct oneself in a Christian manner. Sometimes, people pretend to have values they do not really have just for showmanship, just so they can make the next person feel they’re examples of “good” Christians. Conducting oneself as a Christian in the appropriate manner comes from the heart. You are not doing things because you want to be seen as more holy than others but because you have been transformed to see the importance of such conduct. It comes from a mature and transformed mind.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
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