WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL
Philippians 1:27-28 NKJV
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
Paul's letter to the Philippians is considered one of his most positive letters to the churches. He is not having to correct a myriad of problems with this church. So this is a far different tone than the letter to the Corinthians. But Paul is still calling the church at Philippi up to a higher level of living, as we see in our verses for today. "Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ..." And then Paul describes what this worthy conduct looks like, and it is a call for unity.
Standing fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. The New Living Translation says, "... standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News." The Holy Spirit, through Paul, is calling the church to be spiritually connected. And to have a unified purpose endeavoring to live a life of faith that the gospel calls for.
Paul then, still on the theme of walking worthy of the gospel, encourages the church to live without fear. "... not in any way terrified by your adversaries..." All the early churches had opponents to their spreading the gospel. In some cases it was the local governments, in other cases the non-believing Jews and often it was both. But the word to the church at Philippi was not to be afraid, to show no fear. And in showing no fear, this will be a sign to the adversaries—a proof of their perdition. We don't use that word often today, but it means destruction. Paul does not clarify whether that destruction will take place in this world or the one to come, but it's coming. By not acting afraid, it sends a clear message that God is on the side of this Philippian church and that He will save them, but their adversaries are going down.
APPLICATION
Paul's writings, due to their being inspired by God, are still relevant today. As the church of Jesus Christ, we are still to walk worthy of the gospel. A massive price was paid to deliver this gospel, this good news, to us, and we show honor to the gospel by walking in its light.
The need to show conduct worthy of the gospel applies just as much today as it did in Paul's day. And the need for unity is still very much in play. The call for unity is still a spiritual calling. One spirit, one purpose, striving for the faith of the gospel. It is interesting to note that the call for unity was not based around a natural structure. Not the unity of any faction of the church. Not in the unity of any political group or opposition to Rome. In fact, this unity was not in opposition to anything. Remember, it was Paul who declared that he was not ashamed of the gospel. Paul dealt with the Romans and their prevailing worldwide domination but he knew there was no unity in man's systems. The same applies today. Way too much division has taken place in the Big C church due to people attempting to rally around a political party, placing man's systems above God's.
So, in what is shaping up to be a very contentious national election, let's live a life worthy of the gospel. Let's be unified in our striving for the faith that transforms lives. The gospel is still the only message with the ability to save everyone who believes. Pray for our political leaders, vote in our elections, national and local, and live for God.
And let's not overreact to those who oppose us. We know that when the dust settles we'll still be standing because our salvation is from God.
PRAYER
Lord, help us, as the Big C church in America, to live in a manner worthy of the wonderful gospel You have given us. We pray that we may be a unified family, not a divided one. We pray that Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done in our city, state and nation. And as we look for Your salvation, help us to live with a sense of divine peace and calm. We have You. We are not afraid.