Living Worthy of the Gospel
Philippians 1:27-30
27 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. 28 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. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 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.
Paul encourages the believers in Philippi to live lives worthy of the Gospel of Jesus. Despite facing opposition and persecution, Paul urges them to stand firm in unity, courage, and faith.
This might sound lovely in theory, but it can be a great challenge! This call is not merely about our personal behaviour but rather encompassing the entirety of our lives: thoughts, words, and deeds. We should reflect the transformative power of the Gospel we profess. Not because it’s a ‘checklist for being a Christian’ but because Jesus truly loves and redeems us. And out of that great love and redemption, we are stirred in our souls to live for Him!
Yes, there are trials and suffering. Yes, we have fallen short over and over again. Yes, we are sinful people. But we find hope in Jesus! The one who offers salvation, hope and strength. One day, regardless of the adversities and struggles, we will stand before our Lord who will proclaim on us: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Dear Heavenly Father, we give You all the praise and glory You rightfully deserve. We thank You for the love, courage and strength poured on us each day. We thank You for the good news of our Lord, Jesus Christ! News that stirs our hearts and souls to truly live for You! In Your precious name, Jesus, Amen.
Written by Sven Bessesen