Christian Behavior

Philippians 1:27–30 NLT

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

Phil.

One September morning a father and his son were on their way to Grand Central Station in New York City. The son was taking the train to a college in New England. For a moment the father just stood there wanting to say many things but saying only one, though it was quite enough: “Son, never forget who you are”. Worth more than a book of rules or a core of lectures on behavior was that one challenge to something deep in a boy’s memory. “Never forget who you are”. The basis of the boy’s behavior was his own identity.

That is the basis of the plea Paul made to the Christians at Philippi and through them to us: “Only, let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ”. Paul was saying “In the way you act, never forget who you are”.

“Conversation” here refers to the whole manner of life. This plea for Christian behavior is based on our identity as citizens of the kingdom of God.

Christian behavior should be consistent

Our behavior should line up with the word of God. One’s behavior in life should confirm rather than contradict the gospel.

The word “conversation” actually means citizen of life. It would have had special meaning