You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct towards you believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:10
What is one thing that is hard for you to make a commitment to Jesus when you look at other Christians? Is that the way they conduct their lives? What do you witness when you observe of how Christian conducts their lives? Do you get confused, frustrated, or angry? If you do, why?
Let’s take a look at two Words. The first one is witness. The meaning of the word witness is a person who sees an event, typically a crime or an accident, that takes place. It is evidence, or proof. It is also having knowledge of words ( any event or change ) from personal observation or experience. The next word that we are going to also be looking at is the word conduct. Conduct means the manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or in a particular context. It lead or guides (Someone) too or around a particular place. Now that we understand what these two words means, I fully dig into this verse.
In Paul’s day, there was a misguided view that some Christians believe that the sin covering sacrifice of Christ is sufficient for us to receive forgiveness, but not enough to set us totally free from total control from sin. This teaching encourages believers to accept this as a natural part of a Christians life, That this is an acceptable influence in a Christians life. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to look at his life as an example that this false teaching was not true. He wants them to remember his own conduct when he was among them. Paul, Silvanis and Timothy’s contact was holy, righteous, and blameless.
They showed complete moral purity and spiritual integrity. They did what was right. They behaved in a way that no one could accuse them of wrongdoing. Paul called both the church and God, himself, as the witnesses to God’s grace with enough motivation and the power to purify them. This does not mean that Christians won’t sin, it just means we don’t have to sin. God’s power is always sufficient for us to overcome and remain free from sin.
Christians should conduct themselves in a way that is pleasing to God. Christians should conduct themselves that reflects Jesus. All Christians are at a different journey with Jesus. Christians are learning at different levels of how to conduct our Christian walk. Christians will not be perfect, they are humans. However, we do have the power to say no to sin because we are a child of God. On that note, Don’t put a Christian on a pedestal of perfection. A Christians conduct will let you down, But keep your eyes on Jesus, he won’t let you down. Let Jesus guide you in how to live for him. When you witness a Christian’s conduct that is not good, just offer that Christian love mercy and grace.
Dear Heavenly Father,
God I thank you that you are so patient with your children. I pray that we as Christians will desire to have our conduct be honoring to you. I pray that we will choose to have your Holy Spirit power to not sin. I pray that we will resist the temptation and sin that is thrown at us. God, I also asked that we not judge, or put one another on a pedestal. I pray that we will put you on the pedal of our lives and that we will keep our eyes focused on you and not a human.
In Jesus Name
Amen
