Meaningful Life
Date: Mar. 11, 2024
Philippians 1:27-30
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[a] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Bible Reading: Philippians 1:27-30
”A Life Worthy of the Gospel”
Take Home Point: Fearless For Christ.
As law abiding citizens of any country, we are expected to perform our civic duties such as obeying traffic rules, paying our taxes, excessing our rights to vote and so on. Christians, as citizens of Heaven, we too have spiritual and physical duties to perform to the body of Christ. The apostle Paul listed some of the expectations incumbent on us to carry out as seen in our text: Conduct Ourselves in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel of Christ: It is important that we conduct ourselves and live our lives worthy of the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ by modeling Him.
So trust Him, and live a life worthy of Christ and the gospel message. That was Paul’s message to the Philippian church then and to us today.
As True Believers. We Must “Stand Firm” Hold Our Ground for Christ and the Gospel Message: The apostle Paul further encourages us in verse 27b of our text in this manner, “Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” We must not compromise of dilute the Gospel of Jesus no matter the worldly pressures we encounter daily. We must stand firm, hold our ground, and defend the gospel, in ‘One Spirit.’
We Must See Suffering and Persecution in this world as a Sign that our Salvation is Complete in Christ Jesus (vs 28): our text reads; “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.” Paul encourages us to count it worthy in the face of opposition and persecution, because, at the close of this sinful world, those opposing us will because of the gospel of Jesus will face God’s judgment while you and are who are faithful to the end will receive the crown of glory in Jesus. In Acts 7:54-56, we read the compelling account of Stephen the disciple of Jesus been stoned to death, Stephen found joy in been persecuted for Christ, his encouraging words in Acts 7:56 is most uplifting “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
We are all encouraged this week to love Jesus Christ and his gospel, we are encouraged this week to stand firm and to defend the gospel message, we are encouraged this week to seek the Lord Jesus and have an abiding relationship with him.
Until I come your way next week, remain Christ focused. I wish you a meaningful week.
Pastor David Kachi Jite