Paul the apostle's desire
for the Philippian church was for them to continue to grow in their
faith and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was in prison
when he wrote this letter, he knew the gospel was continuing to be
spread through preachers and the church. In chapter one and verse
twenty-seven of Philippians, Paul encourages the church to share the
gospel through their manner of living. He wrote:
Only let your
conversation be as it becomes 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 verse begins, “Only
let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ:” Paul
begins this verse with the words “Only let”
which means “however allow”, and then he added the words “your
conversation”. The idea behind
the word “conversation”
employed by Paul is “to be a citizen, to administer civil
affairs, manage the state, to make or create a citizen”. Paul knew
there was no better way to demonstrate “the gospel of Christ”
than the church members living as Christians. Their “way of living”
should be manifest in such a way that Jesus Christ is exalted through
their words, actions and attitudes.
The
verse continues, “that whether I come and see you, or else be
absent, I may hear of your affairs,” Paul continued with the
thought that he may or may not be able to be with the Philippian
church, so his encouragement to them was “whether I come and see
you, or else be absent,” he “may hear of your affairs”
which means their “conditions or state”. Paul knew it was
important that the church go on in their walk with the Lord Jesus,
and if he was to see them or departed from them, he wanted to hear
that they advanced in their growth.
The verse goes on to say, “that
you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the
faith of the gospel;” Paul
adds that the church members should “stand fast”
which mean “to stand firm, to persevere, to persist, to keep
one's standing” “in one spirit, with one mind”. They
were to be a people of unity both in their relating to one another
and to God. There was to be no division between them as they grew,
and this unity would allow for “striving together for the faith
of the gospel”. By unifying, the church in Philippi would
exemplify to the world just what the “glad tidings” of Jesus
Christ means.
How is our “conversation”
or “manner of living” among others? Are we unified with other
believers in Jesus Christ to the point that the world knows the
benefits of the “glad tidings” of God? As we consider these words
of Paul perhaps we should examine our own situations both with
ourselves and with other believers. If Paul were among us, would he
reckon us unified, or would he find division among us? We may know
this, the Heavenly Father is among us, and through Jesus Christ and
His word He has revealed the importance of being unified to spread
the gospel. May He help us to live as “citizens” that bless His
gospel throughout the world.
Next
time Paul tells the Philippians how to react to their adversaries, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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