Bible Reading: 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.
The word ‘gospel’ is used six times in the first chapter of Philippians. It is evident that the Holy Spirit wants us to focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ as we read this chapter! As Paul writes to the believers in Philippi, he speaks of their fellowship in the gospel (4). They had worked together with him in the Great Commission. He also talks about the defense and confirmation of the gospel (7). Even though Paul was in jail, the believers were a part of the grace that God had given him in defending and confirming the truth of the gospel. Paul wanted these believers to know that his imprisonment was contributing to the furtherance of the gospel (12). Nothing can stop the forward momentum of the truth of Jesus Christ! He reminded them that he was set for the defense of the gospel (17). In other words, his life mission was to preach Christ.
As he encouraged the Philippian believers, he admonished them to let their conversation be as is becoming of the gospel. In other words, he says to live a life that lines up with God’s Word. He wanted to come and see a vibrant, loving church or to hear of them. Here is the heart of an apostle for a church. He encouraged them to be one in spirit and in mind as they strove together for the faith of the gospel.
This is the Holy Spirit’s work in any church. He is the Spirit we are to be filled with.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
When we are walking in the Spirit, we will have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:15-16 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
A church that is Spirit-filled will have a single purpose and will be On-mission. They will be focusing on the gospel of Christ. They will literally ‘strive’ together for the faith of the gospel. Will you pray for this? We need the Spirit’s help to be the people Jesus wants us to be!
In Christ,
Rody
