Our Church Covenant, pt. vii

Continuing in our series on our church covenant (find earlier blogs here and our actual covenant here), we press into 1. 3.7:
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To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossip, tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to maintain sobriety, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour;

Let’s break these biblical callings down:

1.To walk circumspectly in the world;
Jesus calls us to be as “innocent as doves and as wise as serpents.” (Mt 10:6). He wants us to have street smarts when it comes to the world (anti-God values and ways). To be circumspect is to ‘look around’ or be aware.

2.to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements,
When we deal with people, in the church or in the world, we ought to be just or fair like God. We should be a people who keep our word also in the engagements (appointments) we make (i.e. not backtracking like so many do today. Think before you give your word and, once given, keep it). Nothing shines forth the truthfulness and faithfulness of God like truthful and faithful Christians! We should enact the positive side of do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, etc.

3.and exemplary in our deportment [dress];
While it is true that God judges the heart, this does not mean He is unconcerned about our outward appearance, as they reflect our heart. Paul speaks of dress in 1 Ti 1:9. While anyone should be welcomed as they are coming to worship; Christians, in worship and life, should dress in an exemplary way (a way that is an example to others). We should seek to be modest (both physically and economically), and yet wear clothes that show quality and care. We should take pride in our presentation. When we come to worship, we should bring our best to God, inside and out. This is well pleasing and a witness to others. In our super-relaxed day and age, we need to remember that deportment matters.

4.to avoid all gossip, tattling, backbiting,
Speech sins are grave sins according to the New Testament (i.e. those who persist in them will show themselves not to be among the redeemed, 1 Cor 6:9–10). Gossip is unconstrained speech about someone, usually untrue. Tattling is telling confidential information about someone, or speaking about someone without having approach them directly (c.f. Mt 18). Backbiting is harshly speaking back. All of these sins go against what God has positively taught how the believer should speak. They are of the flesh and not of the Spirit and are to be fought against.

5.and excessive anger;
We are emotional beings and anger is one of those emotions. While Jesus warns against anger (Mt 5:21–22), He also instructs us to “be angry and do not sin.” (Eph 4:26). It is possible to have a righteous anger over something unjust. However, even in our anger we must exercise self-control. Otherwise, fires can be set ablaze not unlike those of the tongue (Ja 3).

6.to maintain sobriety,
To be sober means to be able to think clearly. Historically it related to drink (and today would include drugs). The Bible speaks strongly against drunkenness (cf. Gal 5:19–21). While not prohibiting alcohol, the warning, along with idolatrous addictions and social problems caused by drink, have led Baptists to traditionally be ‘tee-totalers’[1]—for good reason. Any decision not to voluntarily abstain from drink must be met with a conscious effort to drink above reproach. However, it is best (and cheapest!) to avoid the temptation all together.

7.and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour;
While this list has included positives and negatives, here is one positive, which if followed, would rule out the negatives. Are we zealously being devoted to all of the physical and spiritual means to advance the kingdom, locally and globally. This could involve personal evangelism, supporting the worship of God, giving, praying, serving, caring, engaging in missions, etc. Let us be devoted to these good things like the early Church (Acts 2:42; Mt 6:33), for where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Mt 6:21).


[1] Meaning total temperance or Totally no drink.