Philippians 1:27 caught my attention this morning...in the HCSB translation verse 27 begins, "just one thing." Just one thing, let your manner of conduct be worthy of the gospel! The little word "conduct" has its roots in the Greek word "politika." Quite simply it means to live as a citizen. When you and I travel to another country we don't lose our identity as US citizens, we may have to adapt to some degree in a foreign land, but you never forget that you are a citizen of the United States.
Paul will press this point further in Philippians 3:20..."But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Elsewhere Paul commands us to walk in the light...in Eph 5:8 he tells us that, "you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light, and in Philippians 2:15 we are commanded to do everything without complaining..."so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."
So in verse 1:27, Paul is exhorting the Philippians to conduct themselves as citizens of heaven..."Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel"
We are commanded to live as citizens of heaven, as children of light in a dark and dying world...we are commanded to stand firm in ONE Spirit, with ONE mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel! Over and over Paul exhorts us to stand firm in the faith...act like men!
1 Co 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Ga 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Eph 6:11-14 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
1 Th 3:8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
2 Th 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
You may remember Paul's words in Eph 2:19, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household."
I don't know about you, but by HIS grace I refuse to be chained and weighed down by my past, yes I have a past..."It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, if the son has set you free you are free indeed!" Through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by faith I am free to live as a child of the King, I am free to live in the light of my future, not bound by my past...I am free to be what Jesus created me to be...an heir of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ.
Peter flips the words and exhorts us to live as aliens and strangers to this world in 1 Pet 2:11, Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
Php 1:9-11 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Father in heaven,
complete the good work you began...for YOUR glory and our JOY in YOU!
love,
m