We’ve been exploring what Paul might have had in mind when he wrote:

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed. (Romans 6.17, ESV, emphasis mine)

What is the standard of teaching? The Greek word for “standard” is typos, also translated “pattern” and “example,” the very word used in 1 Timothy 4.12:

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example

• in speech,
• in conduct,
• in love,
• in faith,
• in purity. (1 Timothy 4.12, ESV), bulleted for clarity)

Yesterday, we talked about speech; today, conduct.

Here’s another area in which our culture is not doing so well. Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during this year’s Oscars, and on May 27, a baseball player slapped an opponent before the game in a dispute involving fantasy football. When asked why, he said something like, “He said some stuff I can’t condone so I had to address it.”

“I had to address it”…by slapping the dude? Really? Did you have to address it? And the only way to address it was by slapping?

But what about believers? And I shouldn’t have to say “so-called” believers, but you don’t have to look hard to find examples of bad conduct whether it’s a major denomination covering up sexual abuse, which, of course, shouldn’t have happened in the first place or any of us popping off at someone (I speak of the latter from experience).

Scripture is full of appeals to good conduct. For example:

• Don’t always demand your rights.

To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? (1 Corinthians 6.7, ESV)

• Don’t make jokes at another’s expense.

Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12.10, ESV)

• Give generously

This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too. (2 Corinthians 8.5 – 8, MSG, emphasis mine)

• Be kind

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4.31, 32, ESV)

“Set an example…in conduct.”

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1.27, NIV)