How to Behave by H. A. St. John

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 14, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 15.

How to Behave

By H. A. St. John

THE apostle Paul was quite anxious that his son in the faith, Timothy, should know how to behave himself, and thus he writes to him: “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Tim. 3: 14, 15.

The apostle makes it quite plain that it was not simply the meeting-house that he meant by “the house of God.” Every true follower of Jesus is a member of the church of the living God whose names are written above. As long as a person claims to follow Christ, just so long is he in the house of God, all the time, and everywhere. Hence, the apostle’s instruction is always applicable to every Christian.

Let us now consider some of the rules of behavior that the inspired Word has laid down for us:

1. Jesus kept His Father’s commandments, and thus abode in His Father’s love. Hence we have this rule, if we would abide in the love of God we will do as He did.

2. Jesus taught that if a brother trespass against us, we should go and tell it, not to a single soul, but to the offending brother only. This should always be the first step toward reconciliation, and generally this step, rightly taken, will heal the wound completely. If this is not effectual, the next step is to take two or three with you; and if that fails, as a last resort, tell it to the church. Christian reader, is this the way you behave in the house of God?

3. Hold fast faith and a good conscience; never make shipwreck of either.

4. Pray for “all men,” especially for “all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

5. “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

6. Women should be adorned, not with gold, pearls, or costly array, but with good works, and a meek and quiet spirit.

7. Bishops [overseers, elders] should be blameless, vigilant, sober, hospitable, patient, apt to teach, ruling well their own houses.

8. “Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” Bodily exercise is good, but godliness is far better, “having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

9. Neglect not the gifts or talents that you have, but give yourself wholly to growing up into Christ in all things.

10. Be an example to the church in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Then you will save yourself, and gather others to the fold.

H. A. ST. JOHN.