Conducting ourselves in the house of God
Reasons to conduct ourselves well in church
The Apostle Paul explains in 1 Tim 3:15, why we should conduct ourselves well in church, which is the house of God.
First, conduct in church is important because it is the place where we come together to worship “the living God” (1 Tim. 3:15). Church is not just any other building. It is a special and holy place that has been set aside for God’s work. The living God is in our midst as we worship Him in church. Therefore we should come to God’s house with a great sense of respect and regard. We should seek to honour God in how we behave when we are in church. We mustn’t behave as we please in God’s house, as if it is our own house!
Second, conduct in church is important, because church is a special place where God’s “truth” (1 Tim. 3:15) is taught. The problem of false teaching was something that Paul had to deal with in 1 Timothy. He instructed Timothy to ensure that truthful and edifying doctrines were being taught in church, instead of false teachings such as fables and endless genealogies (1 Tim. 1:3-4). Just as it was in Paul’s time, false teaching is a problem that Christians face today! And till today, church is a place where God’s truths are upheld, in a world where false teaching abounds. Our conduct in church should therefore reflect our regard for church, as a place where God’s precious and timeless truths are taught.
Practical ways to conduct ourselves well in church
Having understood the reasons why we should conduct ourselves well in church, here are some practical ways that we can apply this in our lives:
1. Having proper regard for worship
Good conduct in church begins with the idea of “reverence” (1 Tim. 3:8, 11). To have “reverence” means to have an attitude of deep respect for God, as we gather in His house to worship Him. Here are some ways that we can show this respect:
– Coming on-time and if possible early for worship. It is only right that we are ready to begin worship on-time. Coming late shows a lack of regard for worship. On the other hand, coming early helps us to still our hearts, and prepare to worship God whole-heartedly.
There are some practical things we can do to avoid being late for worship. If we are coming from home, we can wake up earlier, or start getting ready earlier, so that we can leave the house with enough time to get to church. It may even mean taking an earlier bus or MRT than we usually do, just to ensure that we are on-time. If we are coming to church with our siblings or parents, we can also remind them of the importance of coming early to church, so that the entire family can honour God in this manner.
– Paying full attention during worship. There are many things that can prevent us from paying attention during worship. These distractions prevent us from hearing and learning God’s Word well. When we are distracted, we end up like the bad soil in the Parable of the Sower, we become someone who “hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” (Matt. 13:19).
There are many distractions that we can and must put aside when we enter into a time of worship. These distractions include: snacks, soft drinks, handphones etc. We should also avoid distracting our friends by talking or passing messages to them.
One of the best ways to pay attention during worship, is to take notes on what the chairmen and speakers are saying. It helps us to stay focused. This is a practical habit worth cultivating!
2. Having proper regard for service
Good conduct in church also involves the idea of “faithfulness” (1 Tim 3:11). We are to be faithful in all things, especially in areas of service that we have committed to. Many of us as young people are involved in various areas of service in church, such as the cleaning ministry, the Youth Choir, or as musicians and AVA members.
Having chosen to serve, our conduct must be one characterized by faithfulness. This means that we serve week-in, week-out, unless circumstances prevent us from doing so. We would make the necessary sacrifices in our schedule so that we can stay back after church to clean, or stay back after YPG for choir. If we are rostered to serve in the music or AVA ministries, we must make it a point to know the roster well, so that we don’t forget when we are on duty. Finally, if we are unable to serve, we should also inform those in-charge so that they are aware of our absence. This reflects our faithfulness too. All these things are practical steps that we can take, to ensure that our conduct with regards to service, is pleasing to the Lord.
Conclusion: Motivation to conduct ourselves well in the house of God
Our faith must be reflected practically, otherwise it would be an empty faith. Let us seek to apply some of the practical steps above, so that we can honour God with our conduct in church. He deserves nothing less!