"Living Worthy of the Gospel of Christ"

It’s all too easy to conform to the world. We want to fit in, to feel that we belong. If we aren’t careful we’ll find ourselves becoming like the people we spend the most time with. If they are not believers it could have a negative effect on our lives.

The church in Philippi was facing pressure to conform. Philippi was a Roman colony, and the people there prided themselves on being Roman citizens, with all the rights and privileges that entailed. Even though located in Macedonia it was considered to be on Roman soil. It was also a center of worship for various gods, including emperor worship. The Philippians’ allegiance to another “Lord” than Caesar bordered on treason as it challenged the political establishment. Paul wants to encourage the disciples there ro remember that their citizenship is in God’s kingdom.

Philippians 1:27 NIV84

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 one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

Conduct yourselves in a worthy manner

The words for ‘conduct yourselves’ mean to live as citizens. Paul is telling the believers there to live as those who belong to God’s kingdom, not to Rome.

Philippians 3:20 NIV84

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

We are still called, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to live as God’s people. What exactly does this entail?

Of the gospel of Christ

In response to:

God’s love for us

Jesus’s sacrifice for us

Living by the values and priorities of God’s kingdom.

Colossians 1:10 NIV84

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Pleasing God in every way

Bearing fruit in good works

Growing in knowledge of God

Standing firm

Paul has described his own situation, awaiting trial and facing possible death, and his hope of standing firm:

Philippians 1:20 NIV84

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

To refuse to yield or conform. It refers to the soldier keeping his position while under attack

Against the pressure of persecution

Against the temptation to despair and give up

In one spirit

United in purpose – Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one

In one mind – having the mind of Christ

Contending together for the faith

Striving side by side

Against the dangers of false teachings

Being active in spreading the gospel – letting their lives be a witness

Suggests a joint effort, working as a team