Be Holy In All Your Conduct - At Work/School

Before we begin. let's do a quick review:

• In your marriage you faithfully honour your vows, and you love and respect your husband as head of your family. You don’t allow even a hint of immorality to taint your relationship (Ephesians 5:3)
• As parents you exhibit physical purity and moral uprightness to your children. You set boundaries on media, behaviours, and words. You guide your children toward God, through His word and through prayer, seeking Him first in all things (Ephesians 6:1-4). You keep trying (Galatians 6:9)!
• While online you remember first and foremost, that you wear the name Christian. You are not to look like the rest of the world (Psalm 101:3a, Romans 12:2), but rather be a beacon showing the way to God, shining your light for Him at all times (Matthew 5:16).

    Today, as we continue our study of being holy in all our conduct let's consider 'Holiness in the Workplace/School'

    It's easy to be a Christian at church services or bible studies, but it’s harder when you are surrounded by people who challenge your beliefs and/or make fun of you for living to a higher standard.

    Whether you are at school for 6-8 hours each day or at work for 8-12+ hours, you can face the same difficulties. Where students have peers, teachers, and principals/presidents, employees have co-workers, bosses, and supervisors.  So, how can you be holy in all your conduct at school or work?

“Exhort bondservants* to be obedient 

to their own masters, to be well pleasing 

in all things, not answering back, 

not thieving, but showing all good honesty, 

that they may adorn the doctrine 

of God our Saviour in all things.” 

(Titus 2:9-10 NKJV)

*a bondservant is someone who chooses to stay; chooses
to work. Sounds like a modern-day “employee”, eh?

    Now, consider this, employees are to avoid doing those bad things and instead do good things – why? – that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 

    The word “adorn” comes from a Greek word meaning, ‘to trim (a wick on) a candle’. Trimming a wick allows the fuel to be used efficiently; allowing the flame to burn bright with minimal soot left behind!

    Hmmmm, Matthew 5:14-16 and Romans 12:2 are coming to mind now!

    We are human, we will make mistakes, we will create a bit of soot, but when we keep our wicks trimmed (maintain holiness) by serving God first and foremost, we will quickly make up for our mistakes by continuing to be the best employees we can be  - all the while burning bright for God! We will exhibit God’s higher standard, we will prove what is His good, acceptable and perfect will!

Some things for students and employees to remember:

• Listen to/obey your boss/teacher, yes, even the mean ones (1 Peter 2:18-21, Ephesians 6:5)
• Work honestly, not just when the boss/teacher is around (Ephesians 6:5-8, Colossians 3:22)
• Don’t “steal” time from your employer by being lazy (Titus2:9-10, 3:1, Proverbs 14:23)
• Be honest. Conduct yourself with integrity and uprightness (Titus 2:9-10, Colossians 3:23-24)
• Go the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-42, Colossians 3:23)
• Be kind. Be humble. We used to behave badly too, but now we know better (Titus 3:1-8)
• You’re not here to serve yourself, you are here to serve God (Colossians 3:17, 23-24)
• Stop complaining, just do the work that is required (Philippians 2:14-15, 1 Peter 2:18-21)
• Don’t involve yourself in gossip, flirting, or coarse joking (Ephesians 5:1-7, Proverbs 11:9, 16:28)
• Be quick to forgive offenses (Proverbs 19:11, Colossians 3:12-14, Matthew 5:44-48)
• Shine your light, that God may be glorified (Matthew 5:16)
• It’s not going to be easy, but it is worth it! (1 Peter 4:1-4, John 15:18-19, 1 Corinthians 4:17)

“I beseech you therefore brethren, 
by the mercies of God, that you 
present your bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable to God, 
which is your reasonable service." 
(Romans 12:1 NKJV)