“Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel). And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God,” Philippians 1:27-28, AMP.
God anointed Paul to write these words. Praise the Lord! I’m ever so mindful that he is writing to Christians in a spirit of encouragement to keep the faith. It is a declaration of how we are to conduct ourselves as representatives of Christ. I more now than I have in the past, consider my statements. And even then when I say something that I think is questionable, I think on how God may view it. I’m so glad that I’m at a place where I know that I need Him every day of my life.
Our conduct not just in public, but behind closed doors dictates what we truly believe. It must be a manner of life that is worthy of the Gospel. Worthy is being honorable or admirable. Think about when choosing a mate, you wanted somebody who carried themselves in a way that reflected you in a positive light… I would hope. You would desire a person who you would be comfortable taking home to meet the rest of your family. You would want someone worthy to be a parent to your children. Right? Well, that’s what Christ desires for us, to be worthy of being called a true Christian. We ought to serve Him with our whole heart.
As we are on this journey, we are to stay in the faith…not in fear. “And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries…” Don’t let anyone intimidate you into thinking you are not of a certain caliber to deliver God’s word. You’ll here a naysayer challenging your confidence in our Lord, but He will give you the words to speak. I don’t know everything in the Bible, but I talk about it every chance I get. I never went to theology school or took ministerial training, but I am led by the Holy Spirit. I welcome His presence in my life and believe that I will come to know even more years from now as I am on this Earth. I try not to concentrate on what I don’t know, rather on Who I know.
And when we stand firm in the faith, it makes others think. They may never tell you, but they consider, if even for a moment, their end. It offers the reality of their condition. They may choose to ignore it at times, but a Christian’s faith is a constant reminder to the world that there is life after death.
