Psalm 50:22-23 (NKJV)
22 “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
I read this scripture a few weeks ago and was considering it. The Bible makes it very clear that we are saved through faith in God, turning from our sins, and asking for His forgiveness. It also makes it very clear that we don't earn our way into heaven by doing a bunch of good stuff or living a good enough life. But it's also pretty clear (especially from scriptures like this one) that God expects us to live rightly and to give Him all the praise and glory. Now, if you're like me, after you read these verses from Psalm 50, you want to know what right conduct is—since we are called to have such a conduct! In the King James Version, the word “conversation” is used in place of “conduct”. You can see why if you look at the Hebrew definition:
Conduct (KJV Conversation) - a road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever]. (Hebrew definition from Strong's)
The conduct is your way of life, the course that you live, your words and actions, how you act – basically who you are. So, I can order my conduct wrongly or I can set it aright. How does God call us to conduct ourselves?
James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Philippians 1:27
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Is your conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ? Paul elaborates—that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. When I read the verses from Psalm 50 a few weeks ago, I followed up with this verse from Philippians. The right conduct is described as a church united with one spirit and one mind, serving one God. I look around the church and I don't see unity. I don't see one spirit or one mind. How can we be setting our course in life to be that which is worthy of the gospel of Christ when we're all of different spirits? How can we be a body operating with Christ as our head if we continue to be so divisive? What is a sound church?
Titus 2
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. 9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
I pray for you to set aside your differences and ask God how you can truly love one another. Ask Him how you can order your conduct aright and give glory to Him. Ask Him how you can be one with Him and with His church. I believe that He will show you that you can love one another and be loved. You can, but only with one heart, one mind, one love, and one spirit—His.
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