Articles
Let Your Conduct Be Worthy
Worshiping God and studying His word in safety is a right United States citizens enjoy. In our assemblies, we can and do speak the truth without fear. The secularization of our culture makes it increasingly difficult to practice Christian values in public places. The propagation of secular values through schools and corporate human resources departments has made it challenging to resist conforming to secular expectations. Admission to college, promotions at work, and access to social media can be denied for refusing to conform. The Philippian church lived in a similar situation. Philippi was a Roman colony, and Christians were perceived as anti-Roman. Paul and Silas were imprisoned because they advocated "customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” (Acts 16:21 ESV) Christians found it difficult to live in peace in their city.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he exhorts them, saying, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.” (Phil. 1:27-28 ESV) Paul knew persecution would result from living and espousing the gospel. The desire for a quiet life might tempt disciples to compromise their faith. Thus, Paul exhorts them to live worthy of the gospel whether he is present or absent. In the face of persecution, he exhorted them to stand firm in one spirit and one mind and contend for the faith of the gospel.
Unity in the face of opposition is essential. The gospel will fail to take root if the Romans can divide the church through persecution. Thus, Paul encourages them to work together and not be afraid. If the persecution fails to crush the church, the Romans will see the power of faith at work in the disciples' lives.
Paul says persecution is a gift given to Christians. “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.” (Phil. 1:29-30 NLT-SE) Are we ready to exercise our gift?
The moment will arise at school or work where you will need to decide whether to be true to the faith or compromise. What will you do? We must be of one spirit and mind. We are in this struggle together! We must resist attempts to intimidate us into conforming. Compromising makes it more difficult for everyone to stand against the devil's schemes (cf. Eph. 6:10-11). Don't just be quiet and go along. Remember, Christ sees and he knows. “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26 ESV)
