Philippians 1:27-30To: Philippians Main MenuTo: Grace Notes Home Page Philippians 1:27"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"Now Paul turns to an exhortation. This challenge to the Philippians runs from verse 27 to verse 30. It is a plea to match our life with our belief. "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ"The word "conduct" is a political term. It is the Greek term politeuo from which we get the word politics. The word means in this context "to govern," to be a free citizen and live as such; to conduct oneself according to the laws and customs of a state. Generally, it means to live or order one's life and conduct. This is duty to a group or body of people. To live as a citizen in the Roman Empire in that day was something extraordinary. A Roman citizen carried far-reaching rights. Philippi was a Roman colony. The Philippians understood this term clearly. The style of life of the Roman citizen was much different than other people. Our conduct, manner of life, deportment should reflect on the gospel style of life. "Be worthy" means deservedly, of equal value. It connotes of like value, worth as much. Our conduct should match our gospel. Is our life becoming to the gospel? Does it reflect on the greatness of the Lord Jesus? If we try on a new dress we ask the question, "is this becoming to me?" Is my life becoming to the gospel? Does my life do anything for the gospel? Does the gospel fit my life style? There are some things which may not be sinful or evil but they do not reflect positively on the gospel. It is incongruous or inconsistent with the gospel. It does not mix with the gospel. PRINCIPLE: Our life should match the gospel. APPLICATION: Our conduct should reflect positively to a lost world. We should conduct our lives like citizens of heaven rather than hell. We have a heavenly origin and destiny. We are to live heavenly lives on earth representing the Sovereign King Jesus. Does our life correspond to the gospel? In the first phrase Paul made the point that there is a correlation between the gospel and how we live. Now he amplifies that point. "So that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs"In verse 26 Paul said that he expects to be released from jail and come to see them. "Or am absent," he is not sure he is going to be released from jail. In any case he wanted to hear about the spiritual dynamic of the congregation. He wanted to know how they were getting along. "that you stand fast in one spirit"This is the first thing he wanted to hear, he longed to hear of stability in their relationships. This same word crops up again in 4:1, "... so stand fast in the Lord." In that context Paul is talking about division caused by Euodia and Syntyche. No ministry can go forward without stability in relationships. They needed to hold the ground of harmony in their fellowship. They were to stand fast like the famous Macedonian phalanx. The theme of human relationships crops up over and over throughout the epistle. This is a problem in churches and Christian organizations today. Many Christians act as if they have no mutual relationship or responsibilities within the body of Christ. But as a colony of heaven, we do. "One spirit" means to fuse and blend a unity of spirit. It is our "spirit" which gives us a disposition toward unity. The church of Jesus Christ will be weakened by internal rivalries and discontent. "with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel"If believers are of one mind they can further the cause of Christ. If a church is of many minds about the direction of the ministry the power of the ministry will diffuse. The fuse to light the dynamite of the gospel will go out. "Striving together" is drawn from the Roman amphitheatre. It was used for captives in combat fighting for their lives. This would be called a strategic front in war. The believer is in combat against divisive forces. Keeping the unity of the church is a gladiatorial struggle. It means the life or death of the church. We must be united to "strive together" for the faith of the gospel. To fight side by side, trust and cooperation is important. To fight together for the "faith of the gospel" is foundational for an aggressive church. PRINCIPLE: The believer is to stand his ground as a champion for unity because it is a basis for advancing the gospel. The gospel is at stake. APPLICATION: A strategy of the Devil is divide and conquer. Churches are rendered ineffective because of the failure of Christians to get along. Are you part of a schism whether in a small or large group? Are you fighting side by side with others to further the gospel? Philippians 1:28"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"Many Christians panic under pressure. It does not take much for some people to cave in to adversity. This verse addresses how to orient when we are under duress. Verse 27 exhibited the need to match our life with lip, our behaviour with our testimony. But that is going to come with a price. When we share Christ, adversity will come. "and not in any way terrified by your adversaries"The word "terrified" means to be frightened started like a surprised bird. Some Christians "flutter" at the first opposition to their testimony. They shy at every shadow. This is panic and panic is a rout. This is the worst kind of defeat. Christian forces disperse at the first person who says, "Boo!" If a Christian can be intimidated his testimony will be neutralized. "Not in any way" means that there should be no circumstance that should disorient the believer from his course. We should never hit the panic button. A believer should never become disoriented. "which is to them a proof of perdition""Proof" is a sign, a testimony, a declaration. Their courageousness is a double symbol: 1. to their adversaries a sign of destruction. If nonbelievers cannot shake you from your testimony it shows them that they are on the wrong road. They can take your house, bank account, business but you are unshakable. They can see that the "game is up." However, this proof does not come from you but "that from God" (last phrase). Those without Christ see their own doom in you. The world is not interested in an anemic, spineless Christianity. They are impacted by courageous Christians. "but to you of salvation"Sharing our testimony with courage is a "token, sign, proof" of our salvation. It symbolizes the reality of it. One reason some Christians do not experience the reality of their faith is that they never put their faith on the line. Our faith will prove itself to us when we use it with courage. "and that from God."The proof to Christians of the reality of their faith also comes "from God." It is God who gives that proof. It is by his order or plan. God is interested in his cause so he actively gets involved in your testimony. PRINCIPLE: Our testimony is a much more powerful thing than most Christians realize because God works through it. Therefore, it is powerful. APPLICATION: When you share your faith, do you panic or trust God to use your testimony? Philippians 1:29"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake."There is an attitude amongst Christians that somehow they are supposed to be exempt from suffering. This passage says God has designed suffering in the life of the believer so that he/she will represent Jesus Christ in it. Verse 28 indicated that when we share our faith people will "stand against" us (literal meaning of "adversaries"). Christian will face opposition when they share their faith. This verse contains a double gift: 1. to believe in Christ 2. to suffer for his sake. "for to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ"Suffering is a gift from God. The phrase "been granted" in the Greek means that the believer receives suffering as a gift from God. The word "granted" means "to give freely or graciously as a favor." We have been granted the privilege of suffering for Christ. The suffering of the believer is under God's sovereign control. This is no accident. Neither is it a sign of God's punishment. Suffering with a purpose is a privilege. Suffering in itself is no privilege but suffering for Christ is. "On the behalf of Christ" displays the pinnacle purpose for suffering. Note the phrase later in the verse "for his sake." This is what makes suffering valuable. Suffering points people to Christ. If we have Christ and his great glory as the purpose for our lives, it gives everything definition in our lives. "not only to believe in Him."Our ability to believe on Christ is a gift from God; suffering is a gift from God as well. Our salvation is dependent upon the finished work of Christ upon the cross. We contribute nothing to salvation but trust in what has been given. "but also to suffer for His sake."Some people will not face the claims of Christ until they see how a Christian faces deep anguish. A believer under immense adversity and simultaneously possessing an inner orientation will impact those without Christ. How many times have we seen people come to Christ at the death of a dynamic witness for Christ. Nothing is valuable in life until Christ is its aim. Suffering is never an end in itself. Pain is not good. But the association of that pain makes it purposeful. PRINCIPLE: Everything that the believer has of spiritual value is a donation from God, even affliction. APPLICATION: Do we accept suffering as a gift from God's hand? It is conventional for us to think of salvation as a gift but do we think of suffering for Christ as a gift? Can we accept the first gift (salvation) and not the second (suffering)? We are citizens of heaven, therefore, we are living out of a suitcase down here. We should not treat life on earth as the ultimate goal of our lives. We are spiritual aliens; this world is not our home. We should expect opposition. Philippians 1:30"Having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me."Having stated in verse 29 that affliction is in God's design, Paul now uses himself as an example of how to suffer. "having the same conflict""Conflict" is an athletic term. It means "contest, agony." It was originally used for gladiators in competition. It denotes any contest or struggle. We get our English term "agony" from this word. The Christian life is a struggle, a fight. There will be great opposition and therefore there will be great strain. The Christian life is not easy. This is the "same" struggle as Paul himself. Paul sets himself up as an example of how to suffer. There is emphasis on the word "same" in the Greek. Our struggles are no different than the apostle's! "which you saw in me and now hear is in me"Two thousand years later we face the same things as the apostle Paul. The things he faced then, we face now. We face the "same" conflicts. The Philippians saw when he was there how he coped with suffering and now, from over 1000 miles away, they are still hearing it. They saw what happened to him right in their own city, "but even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much conflict" (I Thess. 2:2). Now Paul is still in jail. "I was in prison in Philippi and now I am in prison in Rome." He saw the inside of many prisons. It was not because he was a criminal but because he preached the gospel. PRINCIPLE: People who do the right things for the right reasons face agony, Paul did. It is good to know that we are not alone in suffering. Mutual suffering deepen mutual sympathies when we progress through common suffering. APPLICATION: Some Christians expect nothing but smooth seas in life. If the great apostle Paul had his troubles, should not we face our problems as well? Believers who never engage in the bloody warfare of sharing their faith will never know the deep communion of the saints. Orientation in life is not gained by avoiding pain but by sharing it. Here is an opportunity for us to show the stuff we are made of. ---------- Copyright © 1995, Dr. Grant Richison. All rights reserved. There is no charge for Grace Notes Materials. 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