CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR
by John Bunyan
“…so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.”
─Titus 3:7-8, NASB
Now then, seeing good works flow from faith, and seeing faith is nourished by affirming the doctrine of the gospel, &etc., take these few considerations from the doctrine of the gospel, for the support of your faith, that you may indeed be fruitful and rich in good works.
Consider 1. The whole Bible was given for this very reason, that you should both believe this doctrine, and live in the comfort and sweetness of it: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4; John 20:31).
Consider 2. That every promise in the Bible therefore is yours, to strengthen, quicken, and encourage your heart in believing.
Consider 3. That there is nothing that you do that can please God as much as believing; “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy” (Psalm 147:11). They please Him because they embrace His righteousness, &etc.
Consider 4. That whenever God withdraws from you, it is not for your weakening, but for the trial of your faith; and also, that whatever He allows Satan, or your own heart to do, it is not to weaken faith (Job 23:8-10; 1 Peter 1:7).
Consider 5. That believing is that which will keep in your view the things of heaven and glory; and through that view by which the devil will be discouraged, sin weakened, and your heart quickened and sweetened (Hebrews 11:27; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9; Ephesians 6:16; Romans 15:13).
Consider lastly, By believing, the lover of God is kept with warmth upon the heart, and that this will provoke you continually to bless God for Christ, for grace, for faith, hope, and all these things, either in God, or you, that accompanies salvation (2 Corinthians 2:14; Psalm 103:1-3).
Third, The doctrine of the forgiveness of sins, received by faith, will make notable work in the heart of a sinner in order to bring forth good works.
But, Forasmuch as there is a body of death and sin in every one that has the grace of God in this world; and because this body of death will be ever opposing that which is good, as the apostle says (Romans 7:21), therefore take these few points further, to suppress that which will hinder a fruitful life.
1. Keep a continual watch over the wretchedness of your own heart, not to be discouraged at the sight of your vileness, but to prevent its wickedness; for that will labor either to hinder you from doing good works, or else will hinder you while you are engaged in good works; for evil is present with you for both these purposes. Take heed then, that you do not listen to that at any time, but deny, though with much struggling, the workings of sin to the contrary.
2. Let this be continually before your heart, that God’s eye is upon you and sees every secret turning of your heart, either to or from Him: “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).
3. If you deny to do the good that you should with what your God has given you, then consider, that though He love your soul, yet He can chastise; First, He will chastise your inward man with such troubles that your life will be restless and comfortless. Secondly, He can also blow upon your outward man so that all you get will be put into a bag with holes (Psalm 89:31-33; Haggai 1:6); and set the case He should license only one thief among your substance, or one spark of fire among your barns, how quickly might that be spent poorly, and against your will, which you should have spent upon God’s glory, and with your will; and I tell you further, that if you want a heart to do good when you have about you, you may want comfort in such things yourself from others, when yours is taken from you. See Jude 1:6-7.
4. Consider, that a life full of good works is the only way, on your part, to answer the mercy of God extended to you; God has had mercy on you, and has saved you from all your distresses; God is not stuck to give you His Son, His Spirit, and the kingdom of heaven. Paul says, “I beseech you therefore… by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1; Matthew 18:32-33).
5. Consider, that this is the way to convince all men that the power of God’s things has taken hold of your heart. I speak to them that hold the head[1] and say what you will, if your faith is not accompanied with a holy life, you shall be judged a withered branch, a wording professor, salt without savor, and as lifeless as a sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal (John 15; Matthew 13:1, 1 Corinthians 13:1-2). For, they say, show us your faith by your works, for we cannot see your hearts (James 2:18). But I say on the contrary, if you walk as suitable to you who are saved by grace, then you will witness in every man’s conscience that you are a good tree; now you leave guilt on the heart of the wicked (1 Samuel 24:16-17). Now you take away any occasion from them that desire occasion; and now you are clear from the blood of all men (2 Corinthians 11:12; Acts 20:26, 31-35). This is the man that also provokes others to good works. The ear that hears such a man shall bless him; and the eye that sees him shall bear witness to him. “Surely,” says David, “he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance” (Hebrews 10:24; Job 29:11; Psalm 112:6).
6. Again, The heart that is most full of good works has in it at least room for Satan’s temptations. And this is what Peter means when he says, “Be sober, be vigilant;” that is, busy yourself in faith and holiness, “because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). “He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely;” and they that add to faith, virtue; to virtue, knowledge; to knowledge, temperance; to temperance, brotherly kindness; and to these charity; and that abounds therein, he shall neither be barren nor unfruitful; he shall never fall; but so an entrance shall be ministered to him abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-10; Proverbs 10:9).
7. The man who is most full of good works is most fit to live and most fit to die: “I am now,” at any time, “ready to be offered,” says fruitful Paul (2 Timothy 4:6). Whereas he that is barren is neither fit to live nor fit to die: to die, he is convinced that he is not fit; and to live, God Himself says that he is not fit; “cut [him] down; why cumbereth [he] the ground?” (Luke 13:7).
This excerpt is from Christian Behavior, written by John Bunyan (1628-1688) and edited in modern English by Jon Cardwell. This book is available wherever Christian books are sold. Using this 8-digit code, M87JLJEV, you can purchase Christian Behavior online for only $5.55 at CreateSpace.com, which is $2.22 off the regular $7.77 price. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy today.
[1] To “hold the head” is to make a very prominent profession of religion. [G. Offer’s original footnote]
