As a follower of the Lord Jesus, our conduct should be representative of the One we follow, a witness to others of a transformed life.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  There may be situations and circumstances arise where our reactions aren't much better than someone who is not a follower of the Lord Jesus.  Therefore, when we conduct ourselves in this way, it is a symptom of a heart problem not yet dealt with in our lives.  However, the Scriptures give us descriptions of what Christian conduct should look like and one we can model.

In Paul's letter to Titus (2:7 Amp), he says to "show your own self in all respects to be a pattern and a model of good deeds and works."  When we are attempting to teach our children how to conduct themselves and others, we need to be sure that we live that way ourselves.  Even as far as our witness before others, if we are not living what we teach, our words don't carry much weight.  We earn the right to be heard when our lives are living consistently with God's words and that is when others will listen.

Paul often wrote about being imitators of him as he imitated Christ.  When it came to work (not being lazy) Paul had to exhort some of the Christians at Thessalonica (2 Thessalonians 3:7) regarding their work.  When Paul and his companions were there, he reminds them that they were not idle but worked hard so they would not become a burden.  Those who were not doing this, he said should imitate him because he was imitating Christ.  Laziness is not a character quality representative of Christ. Proverbs says, "One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys." (Proverbs 18:9)

Our overall conduct is to be without blame (1 Thessalonians 2:10).  Paul again tells the Thessalonian church that they were witnesses of his righteous and blameless behavior which was in action and motive.  Inner convictions and righteous behavior measure up to what God expects and requires in our lives.  Paul's life was an example of what their lives and ours should be.  That type of life should be able to stand up before any of our critic's scrutiny.  Critics will and do attempt to find fault, call us names, put us down; but our consistent, blameless behavior can be a witness to them and most certainly seen by God.

David purposed in his heart to live the way of integrity (Psalm 101:2).  That meant a blameless life with a blameless heart before God.  In this verse, he further states that this would begin in the privacy of his own house.  Others may not see and know how we conduct ourselves at home but God most definitely does, and He takes note of it and we will answer for it (whether right or wrong).  We would be wise to follow David's resolve for this is what God says in verse 6:  "My eyes shall (look with favor) upon the fiathful of the land, that they may dwell with me, he who walks blamelessly, he shall minister to me." (Amp.)  May our life and our conduct be lived with purpose to follow Christ's example.

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