How Christians Should Behave Themselves Among Heathens
Christians should conduct themselves with wisdom, discretion, and holiness, glorifying God in all things and setting a good example for others.
Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of maintaining a distinct and holy lifestyle when surrounded by non-believers, urging believers to be wise, harmless, and self-restrained in all their actions out of reverence for God. He cautions against engaging in activities that compromise one's faith or lead to dishonoring God, encouraging believers to be a shining example of righteousness and purity. Clement stresses the need for believers to stand firm in their faith, living in a manner that glorifies God and sets them apart from the ways of the world.
Text
If, moreover, it chance that we go to a place in which there are no Christians, and it be important for us to stay there a few days, let us be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves; and let us not be as the foolish, but as the wise, in all theself-restraint of the fear of God, that God may be glorified in everything through our Lord Jesus Christ, through our chaste and holy behaviour. For, whether we eat, or drink, or do anything else, let us do it as for the glory of God. Let all those who see us acknowledge that we are a blessed seed,sons of the living God, in everything-- in all our words inshamefastness, in purity, in humility, forasmuch as we do not copy the heathen in anything, nor are as believers like other men, but in everything are estranged from the wicked. And we do not cast that which is holy before dogs, nor pearls before swine; but with all possible self-restraint, and with all discretion, and with all fear of God, and with earnestness of mind we praise God.
For we do notminister where heathens are drinking and blaspheming in their feasts with words of impurity, because of their wickedness. Therefore do we not sing psalms to the heathens, nor do we read to them the Scriptures, that we may not be like common singers, either those who play on the lyre, or those who sing with the voice, or like soothsayers, as many are, who follow these practices and do these things, that they may sate themselves with a paltry mouthful of bread, and who, for the sake of a sorry cup of wine, go about singing the songs of theLord in the strange land of the heathen, and doing what is not right. Do not so, my brethren; we beseech you, my brethren, let not these deeds be done among you; but put away those who choose thus to behave themselves with infamy and disgrace. It is not proper, my brethren, that these things should be so.
But we beseech you, brethren in righteousness, that these things be so done with you as with us, as for a pattern of believers, and of those who shall believe. Let us be of the flock of Christ, in all righteousness, and in all holy and unblemished conduct, behaving ourselves with uprightness and sanctity, as is right for believers, and observing those things which are praiseworthy, and pure, and holy, and honourable, and noble; and do ye promote all those things which are profitable. For you are ourjoy, and our crown, and our hope, and our life, if so be that you stand in the Lord. So be it!
Sermon Outline
- I. Conduct Among Heathens
- A. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves
- B. Live a chaste and holy life
- C. Glorify God in all things
- II. Avoid Blasphemous Behavior
- A. Refrain from participating in impure activities
- B. Do not minister to those who engage in wickedness
- III. Set a Good Example
- A. Behave with righteousness and holiness
- B. Promote praiseworthy and noble conduct
- IV. Encourage Others to Follow Suit
- A. Set a pattern for believers
- B. Encourage others to stand in the Lord
Key Quotes
“For, whether we eat, or drink, or do anything else, let us do it as for the glory of God.” — Clement of Rome
“Do not cast that which is holy before dogs, nor pearls before swine;” — Clement of Rome
“Let us be of the flock of Christ, in all righteousness, and in all holy and unblemished conduct,” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- Live a chaste and holy life that glorifies God in all things.
- Avoid blasphemous behavior and refrain from participating in impure activities.
- Set a pattern for believers and encourage others to stand in the Lord.