The passage for April is Philippians 1:18b-30:
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (ESV)
Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text (see the archive links on the lower right of this page for review). Today we will discuss...
A Life Worthy Of The Gospel - In A World That Is Not
For our last article this month, we will look at one of the most simply stated profound commands in the Scriptures:
"...Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..."
In the context of the passage, Paul is still working on his point that we will face persecution and hardship because of our faith in Jesus. Persecution will also come because of how we will and WILL NOT operate in this world, because of our Christian convictions.
There could hardly be a more timely lesson.
In our culture, we have seen a complete 180-degree turn in attitudes about some of the bedrock principles of society. With the shift, Christians in our nation have faced the full assault of the cultural leaders, the misrepresentation of many in the media and have even been attacked by organizations ("churches") who claim the name of Christ.
While looking at an overwhelmingly secular-humanist culture around us, some Christians may laugh at the notion that humanists and atheists are discriminated against. But please don't.
The truth is, every worldview and every group that people associate with will have other people who are adamantly against that worldview, against that group - they will be against us. It always comes down to an "us versus them" mentality.
Christians, Muslims and Atheists; Republicans and Democrats; Young people and Older people; People who embrace homosexuality and those who fight the temptation to act on homosexual desires — everybody from those groups has a story from their own life or the life of a friend that illustrates hardship that came came from others because of their beliefs.
Some were simply mocked. Some were kicked out of their families or lost jobs. In other parts of the world, it can mean losing your life.
When it comes to discrimination and persecution, Christians shouldn't see ours as the only plight. We are just another group suffering under the effects of The Fall. Until Jesus comes back, there will be suffering and strife, contention and conflict.
The difference that we can take from this passage is that, while we may experience a similar kind of abuse that other groups have felt and still DO feel, our response to the attack is to be saturated in the Gospel truth.
Jesus says you are blessed when you are persecuted FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. He says that, as they persecuted Him and the prophets of the Old Testament and even John the Baptist, so too will they persecute you.
Paul says that if we share in the suffering of Jesus, we will also share in His glory.
So, don't go picking a fight in the culture. But when the fight comes to your home, workplace or school, live peaceably, gently, respectfully and lovingly (as much as it is up to you).
When you receive evil words, actions, etc., respond with loving kindness. Do not fight the world with the worldly tactics, trust Jesus. The church remains when all else fails.
When you,"...Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..."
And when you stand, "...firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel..."
And when you are, "...not frightened in anything by your opponents..."
Then eventually (not over night, but by the end of the age) your love, faith and steadfastness will be, "...a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God."
So don't freak out. God will receive His glory. No one can stop it. Even the mockers and persecutors and deniers will eventually kneel before Jesus and confess that He is the LORD.
Jesus will do the heavy lifting. Just be Gospel People. Be Good News People.
The fight seems overwhelming, but the victory has already been declared and will SOON be experienced. Be patient.
Be honest about sin (Yours First) and be Zealous to share the Savior.
