Context: Philippians 1: 1-30
Focus: Philippians 1:27-30

“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
Philippians 1:27 (My Emphasis)

Paul is exhorting the church in Philippi to stand together in their faith while conducting their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel message they received that made them citizens of heaven .

When anyone hears the gospel message of Christ and believes, they are transferred into the heavenly places where Christ is seated. They are in the world but not of the world. They join the ranks of believers whose mindset becomes firm and steadfast in keeping the faith that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ they have been saved.

There is no isolated believer who can attempt to keep the faith of the gospel.  Throughout the scripture Jesus emphasizes becoming one with one another in love and in the faith that makes us inseparable. We are in the Body of Christ and can do nothing without the strength of Christ, and the support of one another.  When one suffers in the Body, all suffer, and when one rejoices, all rejoice.  Living independently, wandering off, makes a child of God weak and vulnerable.  It’s like a lamb going off and leaving the flock, which the wolf goes after as prey.

The Body of Christ is like a vast army having one mind and purpose, conducting themselves as worthy of the gospel which a believer is saved. Those in faith are no longer citizens of this world but make-up God’s Kingdom, where He reigns.

The strategy of the enemy is to cause conflict and fear and sow the seed of pride into the Body of Christ, causing division and the scattering of the flock, to keep us apart.  The strategy of the Holy Spirit is to sanctify us and make us holy, steadfast in our love for one another and in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

CR – Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:13, 1 Peter 5:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58,
1 Corinthians 16:13, Philippians 4:1, Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 6:12,
John 17: 20-21, 1 Chronicles 12:22

Lord, please remind us to be not only steadfast in our faith and in sharing the gospel but to conduct our lives, worthy of our salvation, and to love one another with a fervent love which does not fail but wins, remembering, we are loved, unconditionally.
In Jesus Name.
( Psalm 98:1)