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“But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance.” 2 Timothy 3:10 (HCSB)
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We should follow biblical doctrine and conduct. In Paul’s excellent flow of reason, following God’s teaching naturally leads to following His expected actions.
The Greek word we translate “conduct” is ἀγωγήagoge [ah go gay’]. It means more than just momentary actions; agoge indicates a way of life. Disciples of Jesus are not just doing certain things because they are cool at the moment. We don’t merely tick things off of a to-do list. We act certain ways because that’s what happens to people whose lives of surrendered to God.
As an example, think of a duck. What sound does the duck make? It quacks. Why? Because it’s a duck! If you are a duck, you quack. In the words of the Geico commercials, “It’s what you do.”
In a similar way, Christians do certain things because they are Christians. It’s what Jesus’ followers do. We lack the space here to go into all that conduct at length, so let’s just hit what scripture calls the most important one – love. Look at Jesus’ summary:
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 ESV)
Want to be a disciple of Jesus? Then follow his conduct. Love.
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