Spurgeon: May PM
* 05/24/PM
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ."
--Philippians 1:27
The word "conversation" does not merely mean our talk and
converse with one another, but the whole course of our life and
behaviour in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and
the privileges of citizenship: and thus we are commanded to let
our actions, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, be such as
becometh the gospel of Christ. What sort of conversation is
this? In the first place, the gospel is very simple . So
Christians should be simple and plain in their habits. There
should be about our manner, our speech, our dress, our whole
behaviour, that simplicity which is the very soul of beauty. The
gospel is pre-eminently true , it is gold without dross; and
the Christian's life will be lustreless and valueless without
the jewel of truth. The gospel is a very fearless gospel , it
boldly proclaims the truth, whether men like it or not: we must
be equally faithful and unflinching. But the gospel is also
very gentle . Mark this spirit in its Founder: "a bruised reed
He will not break." Some professors are sharper than a
thorn-hedge; such men are not like Jesus. Let us seek to win
others by the gentleness of our words and acts. The gospel is
very loving . It is the message of the God of love to a lost
and fallen race. Christ's last command to His disciples was,
"Love one another." O for more real, hearty union and love to
all the saints; for more tender compassion towards the souls of
the worst and vilest of men! We must not forget that the gospel
of Christ is holy . It never excuses sin: it pardons it, but
only through an atonement. If our life is to resemble the
gospel, we must shun, not merely the grosser vices, but
everything that would hinder our perfect conformity to Christ.
For His sake, for our own sakes, and for the sakes of others, we
must strive day by day to let our conversation be more in
accordance with His gospel.