CENTRAL THOUGHT
Every Christian must comport himself rightly at all times.
Hymn: “Stand up, stand up for Jesus”
TEXT: 1 THESS.4:4-7; ROM.12:18; HEB.12:14.
INTRODUCTION:
In society today, the way and manner people comport themselves is not much to be desired. Many do not care about the effect of their actions or utterances on others as long as they want whether rightly or wrongly. However, this should not be the case with Christians. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Therefore, we must be the savor of the knowledge of Christ in every place.
Our outward appearance, character or disposition must be a constant manifestation of our Christian identity. We should consider our character and behavior as visible testimony of our Christian values.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To explain what the phrase “Christian comportment” means;
- Identify various challenges Christians can encounter in the place of work or business
- Discuss what should be our attitude as employees in the place of work or business.
- Identify what should be the attitude of employers.
- Explain how we can make our Christianity all-embracing, holistic and integrated in our daily lives especially in our place of work.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1a) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “CHRISTIAN COMPORTMENT”.
The phrase “Christian comportment” refers to the way and manner a born again child of God should behave towards other people, in all places. He must be able to exhibit Christian values in all his dealings.
QUESTION 1b) IDENTIFY SOME CHALLENGES CHRISTIANS CAN ENCOUNTER IN THE PLACE OF WORK OR BUSINESS? Lev. 19:15; 1 Sam.8:3; Isa 1:23; Mic.3:11; James 2:1-4; Amos 5:10-15
There are many challenges Christians can encounter in the place of work or business. Some of these challenges are discussed below:
(a) Bribery/ corruption
Bribery has to do with persuading someone to act improperly in one’s favor by a gift of money, services or any other thing that may not be due such a person. While corruption refers to dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery. In our society today, bribery and corruption have been so accepted as the norm such that in most cases it is almost difficult to get things one is rightly qualified for in the workplace without having to bribe his or her way through. A Christian should not be involved in such unwholesome practices. We neither give nor receive bribes in the process of carrying out our legitimate jobs we are paid for. “And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous” (Exo.23:8). Bribes have been termed gratification, and many have been deceived into not seeing the danger in them. Most often than not bribery leads to perversion of justice in the work place. Evey Christian must resist it vehemently no matter the consequence.
(b) Racism:
Racism has to do with prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s race is superior. A Christian should realize that all men were created by God in His image and after His likeness. No one should discriminate against anybody based on the fact that such a person is not of his race. The bias should be erased from the mind of a Christian and he should treat everyone equally. Each person should be treated and given what is rightly due him.
(c) Godfatherism:
The current trend in our society today is the issue of godfatherism. This involves having some people who by virtue of their position ensure that those close to them enjoy privileges that they may not be duly qualified for. This has led to unpleasant situations especially in the work place. There are instances where some persons are given positions they are not qualified for. The Christian who is a victim of this evil vice should trust God to fight for him. This is one of the various challenges we face as believers, but God will see us through.
(d) Nepotism:
This has to do with favoritism shown to relatives in conferring offices or privileges which such persons may not be suited for. This should not be once mentioned among believers. Everyone must be given equal and fair chance whenever there is a vacant position open to all qualified members of that organization.
(e) The class should mention and discuss other challenges Christians can encounter in the place of work or business.
QUESTION 2) WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE AS EMPLOYEES IN OUR PLACE OF WORK OR BUSINESS? 1 Tim. 6:1-2; Eph.6:5-8; Phil.2:3-5; Prov.10:26; 25:13; Col.3:17; 22-25
The attitude of a Christian employee in the place of work or business should be that which brings glory to God and reflects Christ. He must do all things as unto God and not unto men. He must be subject to properly constituted authority in the workplace. There should be no room for eye service or pleasing men. He must not be slothful but diligent in all he does. The Christian employee must be found to be faithful to his master, his employer. In addition, he must not do anything for vain glory or in a bid to get the accolade of men, not selfish or self-centered. In all, obedience to the employer is very important. “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men: knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col.3:23-24).
QUESTION 3) WHAT SHOULD BE THE ATTITUDE OF EMPLOYERS? 1 Tim.5:18; Col.4:1; Eph.6:8; Luke 10:7; Mal.3:5
Just as employees have obligations toward their employers, so do employers have toward their employees. The employers must be fair and just in dealing with their employees. The salaries and wages of employees must be paid correctly as at when due unless there is a cogent reason for the delay.
Employers are enjoined in the scriptures thus “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven” (Col.4:1). The Bible clearly states that the laborer is worthy of his hire. God is against those that oppress the hireling in his wages. Employers should be mindful of the fact that God is the one that have placed them in positions of authority and must therefore honor Him in such positions they are occupying by ensuring that they treat their employees with a sense of consideration by giving them what is rightly due to them.
QUESTION 4) HOW CAN WE MAKE OUR CHRISTIANITY ALL-EMBRACING, HOLISTIC AND INTEGRATED IN OUR DAILY LIVES ESPECIALLY IN OUR WORK PLACE?
1 Cor.10:31; 1 Thess.4:7; Prov.6:6-8; 10:4; 22:29
As Christians, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Wherever we find ourselves, our lives must radiate the light in us. When light comes darkness must definitely give way. It behooves us therefore in our daily living especially in our workplace to exhibit godly virtues at all times not minding whether people are looking at us or not, even in trivial matters or issues. We must endeavor to do all things as unto the Lord. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor.10:31). We must be diligent in carrying out every task assigned to us in the work place. We must exhibit honesty and integrity in all we do. “The integrity of the upright shall preserve them” (Prov.11:3a). We must always be conscious of the fact that “…God hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness” (1 Thess.4:7). Our guiding principle in all we do should be holiness unto the Lord all the way. We must be punctual and regular in the work place. If for any reason we either will not make it early to work or will not be coming at all in any of the days, we must ensure that we seek permission from our superior officers. We must be hardworking and always put in our best in whatever assignment given to us. By so doing we will stand out and will even become reference point in the work place. This may in turn draw some of our colleagues to God.
The way to get all that have been discussed above is realize that God is our source and without Him we can do nothing. We must totally be dependent on Him daily and at all times. We draw strength from God in the place of prayer. Regular study of the word is very necessary in our daily walk with God. Our lives must portray what we profess. We are the epistle written for all men to read. We should preach the gospel to our colleagues not only by word of mouth but also by the way we conduct our lives in the work place and our attitude towards other people we interact with daily in the place of work or business.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
As Christians, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. These two attributes must be evident in our lives by the way we comport ourselves at all times and in all places. In all we say or do, we must endeavor to portray Christ. By so doing others will be drawn to Christ. Therefore, our goal should be to honor God in all things irrespective of the challenges that may come our way as we run the Christian race. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you: that ye, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work” (2 Cor.9:8). As we focus on Christ, He makes His ever sufficient grace available to us so that we can exchange our weakness for His strength. This will reflect in the way and manner we comport ourselves as Heaven-bound pilgrims on the earth.
MEMORY VERSE:
1 COR.10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Challenges in the work place. Amos.5:10-15; 1 Sam.8:3.
TUE: Challenges in having respect of persons in the faith.
James.2:1-4.
WED: Employees, serve to bring glory to God. Col 3:17, 22-25; Eph 6:5-7.
THU: Employers be fair and just. Eph.6:8; Col.4:1; 1 Tim.5:18.
FRI: Meditate on Col.3:15-17.
SAT: Consider the ways of ants and be wise. Prov.6:6-8; 10:4