Episode 329 - "Stand firm with One Mind - Philippians 1:27-30

Phil. 1:27 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, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

I suspect one reason Paul’s letters are so popular among Christians today is that the principles he gave his original audience resonate with us today. We understand many of them and recognize their merit today. For example, take this instruction in verse 27, “Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” I suspect that if we took a random poll among many Christians today in various churches, most people would say “Yes! Amen!”

But what does that look like? Well, Paul explains it. A life lived in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ is one in which believers are collectively “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” He continues, saying that this applies especially when opponents attempt to frighten them. (v. 27-28) If we stop and think about this, it’s pretty easy to recognize this instruction as good in a theoretical sense. But Paul knows that these believers are facing or will face persecution for their faith. That persecution is intended to instill fear and ultimately, to inhibit or stop the spread of the gospel.

Personally, I can’t help but think about the cultural climate in our country today, where there is conflict and fear among people over issues like immigration and other political matters. These issues are leading to conflict and division between our own citizens and even fracturing the unity in our churches. Why is this? I would suggest it is because we are not prioritizing the gospel of Jesus Christ in our churches. Instead, we are prioritizing the espoused ideologies of political parties, believing that our favorite party and candidates will somehow make society better. But that mindset is contrary to what God has revealed about his plan. As believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must truly seek the presence of God’s kingdom with Jesus on the throne. Regardless of our differing opinions about other matters, we must humbly encourage and support our brothers and sisters in the faith for the sake of the gospel. Doing so, Paul says, we send a message to those opponents of the gospel that their opposition to God’s work will be brought to an end and that the believers will be delivered by God.

Let us pray that we will be unified with other believers in standing firm for the gospel in spite of persecution and opposition. Jesus prayed to the Father that his disciples would be one (John 17:11) and we need to follow that example and obey that charge.