Philippians 1:27-30
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)
Whether watching my children at home or supervising the adult children (college kids) at work, there is most certainly a correlation between what they do when I’m watching and what they do (or don’t do) when I’m gone. It’s part of human nature for us to behave differently when authority is in the room. My kids know not to color on the walls, but if I turn my back the two-year-old is coloring on everything but the dry erase board. The college kids know we want them actively supervising courts/fields, but when we come unannounced, most of them are standing behind a table.
The early part of the passage for today reminds us to live out the Gospel regardless of who takes notice. We are called to love God and others not for the recognition that it brings us but simply because it is the right thing to do. Living “in a manner worth of the gospel” needs a reminder that it was not always easy. Jesus was tested in the desert, and He resisted temptation. Even if we fall short, and we will, at least we keep trying.
We are also called to stand together in our faith journey when those who notice take issue with our beliefs, love, or teachings. For me, this part of the passage needs a reminder to be humble. Simply being Christian does not make us infallible. We err as often as any other human, I’m sure. When we twist the Gospel to our own ends and use it as a shield, that is not living the life Paul writes here. On the contrary, he calls for us to embrace the suffering as a gift to understand the deeper love Jesus has for us. It’s ok for us to fall short, and it’s ok for us to keep trying in the face of that failure.
Questions for Reflection:
- What parts of your life do you find are different when no one is watching?
- “A manner worthy of the Gospel” can mean many things. What does it mean to you?
- How can we support each other when we inevitably fall short?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to remember that the journey and striving to live a life devoted to the Gospel is not a task to be completed. It takes work each day to stand firm in love. Help us to recognize that devotion in others and help us bolster one another when we see each other starting to fall. Amen.
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