March 29

Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. - Philippians 1:27.

WE may here observe three things: First, The designation of the gospel. It is the “gospel of Christ,” and is so named, not only because he is the author of it, but because he is also the subject, and, in a sense, the only subject of it, for all more or less remotely refers to him. It is elsewhere designated “the word of Christ,” “the truth as it is in Jesus.” It is full of his person, his character, his offices, his sufferings, his atonement, his righteousness, his intercession, and his glory. The Apostle made Christ everything, not only in doctrine, but even in duty, and he could not enforce conjugal tenderness without a reference to him. “Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it.”

Secondly, The conversation enjoined. This term commonly with us means discourse, and it is a great thing to regulate this, and for the speech to be always with grace. James, therefore, said “If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” And what our Saviour said is enough to make us shudder every day, to think that for “every idle word that men speak they shall give an account thereof ” in the day of judgment; for “by thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words shalt thou be condemned.” But it also mean’s habitual behaviour or conduct. “To him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” “Let your conversation be without covetousness.” “What manner of persons ought ye to be, in all conversation and godliness?” In all these cases conversation means a course of action.

Thirdly, The correspondence between the gospel and this conversation. “Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.” Now the becomingness of anything is always relative; what is becoming in one might not be so in another. We cannot determine how a man ought to live as to his expenditure till we know what he has to depend upon as to his income; for we are to provide things honest, not only “in the sight of the Lord,” but also “in the sight of man;” while godliness is always essentially the same in its principles and practice, yet Solomon says, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider.” Now, therefore, before we can judge what conversation becometh the gospel, we must ascertain what the gospel itself is.

The gospel has four characteristics, or may be viewed under four aspects. It is a system of knowledge, cheerfulness, sanctity, and of mercy and benevolence. Conversation, therefore, becoming the gospel of Christ must be distinguished by four attributes, that is, it must be wise, cheerful, holy, and benevolent.

“So let our lips and lives confess

The holy gospel we profess.”