Life worthy of the gospel
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. Philippians 1:27 Paul never lost the wonder that God was in control of every situation. He could be released from prison or killed by the Romans and all that mattered to him was to maintain his testimony for Christ. He never loses sight of having been called by God and he longed for the Philippians to remain faithful, too. He knew that the mystery of the gospel had been hidden for generations and had only been revealed in his day through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:26-27). Paul also understood that until people accept the gospel, they are spiritually dead and therefore without hope (Colossians 2:13). As a result of God’s plan of salvation, those who trust in Jesus are not only made alive in Christ but are also adopted as the Father’s children (Romans 8:16-17). Paul recognized that though the Gospel sounds like foolishness to the world, it is the power of God that brings eternal life to those who accept it. Because his life had been radically transformed by the gospel, he was intent on living to honor the gospel that gave him life. This was the challenge he called on for Christians to take that they would show faithfulness by living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Such a life would not just be legalistic, obeying moral laws. It would show forth the spirit and love of Christ in every human relationship. Paul had faced opposition to his efforts for the cause of Christ without fear. He exhorted the Philippians to do the same even as they faced opposition. The world must see believers in Christ defending and proclaiming the gospel. It would have been disgraceful to be saved from death by the blood of Christ and then show no reverence for that sacrifice. It would have been foolish to accept such love from Christ and then to resent what He asked in return. The way we live our life ought to be a tribute to the unrivaled grace that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has given to us.
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com