https://youtu.be/w8KdO_GXO-w

Conduct of a Christian- “Code of Conduct”

Ephesians 4:1-3

A Few Good Men- the two marines were discharged for conduct unbecoming of a Marine

“Conduct Unbecoming”

“Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

Elements include:

The accused did or omitted to do certain actsThat these acts or omissions constituted conduct unbecoming an officer

A gentleman (including both sexes) is understood to have a duty to avoid dishonest acts, displays of indecency, lawlessness, dealing unfairly, indecorum, injustice, or acts of cruelty.

Not everyone is or can be expected to meet unrealistically high moral standards, but there is a limit of tolerance based on customs of the service and military necessity which the personal standards of the officer, cadet, or midshipman cannot fall without seriously compromising that person’s standing as a gentleman.

Examples of offense that can end in dismissal (Punitive Articles of the UCMJ):

making a false official statementdishonorable failure to pay a debtcheating on an examopening and reading a letter without authorityusing insulting or defaming language to another officer or about another officerbeing drunk and disorderly in publicassociation with prostitutescommitting or attempting a crime involving moral turpitude (vileness, depravity towards fellow man)failing without good cause to support another officer’s family

There are high standards set for the officer- he holds a rank and as such commands units and represents the military.

The Patriot

Cornwallis: “You know this is not the conduct of a gentleman”

Benjamin Martin: “If the conduct of your officers is the measure of a gentleman, I’ll take that as a compliment”

There is a code of conduct for the Christian.

IF you are in Christ, then YOU are called to a higher standard.

Ephesians 4:1-3New King James Version (NKJV)

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 5:1-11 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit[b] is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,