To Live Worthy of the Gospel of Christ

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain...
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." (Philippians 1:21, 27)

For Paul, to die is gain because he would be with Christ in Heaven for eternity and to live is all about Christ (he lived to proclaim Christ and the gospel of Christ). "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) 

"It did not matter what anyone did to this man, he loved God and continued to show it in every possible way. We see Paul's gospel fixation echoed throughout his letter to the Philippians. He is the man who when threatened says, 'Well, to die is gain.' In response his captors will say, 'We'll torture you, then.' He says, 'I don't count the present suffering as worthy to even compare to the future glory.' You can't win with a guy like this. If you want to kill him, he's cool with that because it means he gets to be with Jesus. If you want to make him suffer, he's cool with that, so long as it makes him like Jesus. If you want to let him live, he's fine with that, because to him, 'to live is Christ.' Paul is, as Richard Sibbes says of everyone united with Christ, a man who 'can never be conquered.'" (Matt Chandler)

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." (Jim Elliot)

Since Paul's main reason for remaining on earth is for their spiritual growth in Christ and joy in the faith, he encouraged the believers in Philippi to live in a manner worthy of their Heavenly citizenship and of the gospel of Christ. Essentially, we are to walk the talk and live what we believe. "Our manner of life either helps or hinders the Gospel. It either recommends the truth to others or else makes the truth repulsive. Paul is pleading for Gospel-worthy Christians who will carry on for Jesus Christ without the prop of the apostle's presence. Paul is saying, "Live for Christ whether I am with you or absent from you." (Ron Mattoon) Our lives should reflect Christ and testify of the gospel's transforming power. A life worthy of the gospel is a life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3) 

Paul wanted them to stand firm/faithful in one spirit (focusing on our unity with Christ) and to work/strive together with one mind (having the same purpose) as one team for the advancement of the gospel (focusing on our unity with one another which flows out of our unity with Christ). The Body of Christ's unity was very important to Paul and to Christ Himself, as reflected in His prayer to the Father in John 17:23, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” Disunity among God's children mars the gospel testimony and gives unbelievers excuses to not believe. We must not fight each other but should unite to fight against our common enemy. Don’t waste your time and energy on foolish arguments and on things that don’t contribute to advancing the gospel. Satan loves to divide God's children because he knows that “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25). We are stronger when we stand together!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer gave seven principles that help Christians live together. He said that Christians should:
"1. Hold their tongues, refusing to speak uncharitably about a Christian brother;
2. Cultivate the humility that comes from understanding that they, like Paul, are the greatest sinners and can only live in God’s sight by his grace;
3. Listen “long and patiently” so that they will understand their fellow Christian’s need;
4. Refuse to consider their time and calling so valuable that they cannot be interrupted to help with unexpected needs, no matter how small or menial;
5. Bear the burden of their brothers and sisters in the Lord, both by preserving their freedom and by forgiving their sinful abuse of that freedom;
6. Declare God’s word to their fellow believers when they need to hear it;
7. Understand that Christian authority is characterized by service and does not call attention to the person who performs the service."

To ponder: Is our conduct congruent with our creed? Does the way we live correspond with the gospel we share? 

Prayer: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6)