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“Whatever
happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ.” ~ Philippians 1:27
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Gospel-Worthy
Few
people conduct their lives worthy of anything beyond themselves
anymore.
We
may act with civility, decency, and generosity to enhance our own
reputation. It feels good when folk compliment or praise our good
behavior. So, we lived in a manner worthy of people’s praise. Thus,
the vast majority of us conduct our lives much of the time with
our own interests in mind.
The
apostle Paul, however, calls us to an entirely different life-focus and
motivation. "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner
worthy of the gospel of Christ." (Philippians 1:27)
We’re
tempted to let civility and decency do double-duty. Nice people surely
reflect a nice Jesus. But niceties don’t cross Paul’s mind. In the
context of Philippians 1, he’s thinking of service, sacrifice, and suffering.
To
live worthy of the gospel of Christ is not to be sweet and
friendly, nor to be kind and thoughtful – honorable though such
actions may be. No. “Worthy of the gospel of Christ” means something
else.
Part
of our difficulty today lies in our murky definition of the gospel.
Ask ten believers to define it and we’re likely to hear ten different
responses; promises of prosperity, assurances for eternity, assertions
of forgiveness, invitations to the Kingdom, and more. And while Paul
would not dismiss the significance of these, he would reduce the gospel
to something we rarely discuss; resurrection.
The
gospel of Christ is the guarantee that death produces life. His
resurrection and our promised resurrection renders all threats null and
void. Death has lost its power. Fear of the grave is no fear at all for
followers of Jesus.
Therefore,
to live worthy of this good news is to demonstrate utter devotion to
Christ, even in the face of apparent sacrifice and suffering.
These
terms – sacrifice and suffering – generally intimidate us. We don’t
even care for inconvenience and discomfort. But the gospel, fully
understood, transforms these words. We will speak instead of privilege and honor when we
face hardship for the cause of Christ.
Let's
consider, in fresh ways, what it might mean to live a life worthy of
the gospel of Christ whatever happens and wherever we are.
In
HOPE –
David
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