Bible Reading: Exodus 38; Proverbs 14; John 17; Philippians 1
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
What is it that guides your way of life? Do you strive to 'fit in' with your peers? Do you try to 'keep up with the Jones's'? Do you work to be known as an intellectual? Do you work hard to promote yourself and your business's reputation? Maybe your vision is to 'be unique'. The follower of Christ focuses on none of these things. As we are encouraged here, we must let the gospel of Christ dictate our 'conversation' or way of life. I once heard a man say that he was an evangelist and he worked as a plumber so he could afford his 'preaching habit'! Does your conversation become the gospel of Christ? What do you do that would bring shame and reproach to the name of Christ? What have you forsaken for the sake of the gospel?
It is interesting that Paul did not necessarily have to be with the believers at Philippi to know if they were walking with Christ. He said if he wasn't with them that he would hear of their manner of life. Our reputations are broadcast. If you live for Christ and for the gospel, people will know it. Living for self will be apparent to others as well.
A church that is walking in a way that becomes the gospel will have some things in common. First, they will stand fast in one spirit in the fight against the enemy. When it comes to spiritual warfare, the Biblical command is to STAND FIRM!
Ephesians 6:12-13 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Not only must we stand fast, but we must be in one spirit and with one mind. Alexander the Great conquered most of Europe and Asia and parts of Africa by training his men to fight in the phalanx. Te phalanx was a group of men who fought as a single unit. Later, the Romans adopted the phalanx into the cohort. Are you fighting arm-in-arm alongside your pastors and fellow believers? Can you say that your life is lived 'striving for the faith of the gospel'? Are you wrestling with the spiritual forces of wickedness?
Are you living in a way that focuses everything you have on the gospel of Christ? Are you fighting alone or are you fighting as a body with your church?
In Christ,
Rody
