Philippians 1: 27-29
says, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether
I come and see you or am absent, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one
mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your
adversaries, which to them is a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation,
and that of God. 29 For to you it has been granted on the behalf of Christ, not
only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
When I first read “striving
together for the faith of the Gospel” in this passage, I thought that it meant
simply that Christians should work together to further the Gospel around the
world. However, that’s not primarily what this passage means. “Striving
together” actually means to endure or suffer.
So, how is our
conduct worthy of the Gospel of Christ?
When we endure
suffering, trial, and tribulation well, to His glory. Enduring suffering well
and counting it as the greatest privilege proves to the world around us that we
truly have the greatest Comforter and the greatest joy. It also proves to the
unsaved world the futileness of their temporary pleasures and ‘joys.’
Luke 6: 22-23 says, “Blessed
(supremely happy) are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall
separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name
as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy.”
The word “terrified”
in Philippians one comes from a word meaning, “to spit upon.” We, as
Christians, are not to be moved by reproaches, sufferings, or afflictions for
the sake of Christ. In fact, we find great joy and delight in the fact that we
have the opportunity to suffer for Him! We leap for joy!
In verse 29, the
word ‘granted,’ means to grant as a favor, in kindness, pardon, or rescue. How amazing
is that! Suffering and trials are God’s gift to us. We can rejoice in the midst
of them, knowing that they are His will for us (I Thessalonians 5: 18) and are
ultimately bringing Him glory. We can also rejoice in them because sufferings
and trials bring us closer to Christ, as chapter two goes on to say.
“Therefore, is there
is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the
Spirit, if any affection and mercy…”
The word ‘consolation’
means to draw near or to summon. It’s very close to the word in John 16: 7, 13.
Suffering brings us deeper into Jesus and enables us to be guided deeper into
His truth.
So how do we serve
and spend ourselves for those around us, as the next section in the passage
commands? By knowing what it means to suffer well for His glory.
Leslie Ludy said, “Even
trials are exciting God-given opportunities to gain greater victory, patience,
faith, strength, and dependence upon Him.”
Then the book Rees
Howells: Intercessor says, “God always shows you all the difficulties before He
will do anything through you.”
Let us, then, be
known as leapers for joy! J
