Philippians 1:27-30
The key words in this passage are: gospel, suffer, one. Paul is connecting back to his previous statement about how he rejoices because the gospel is preached and now he is encouraging the Philippians to live in such a way that their lives (not just their words) reflect the gospel of Christ. They are to live this way inspite of the persecution they face because it will show their persecutors that they are confident about the end of the struggle (the persecutors will "lose") and because suffering for Christ is a privilege that is granted to only a few.
There are two phrases that jump out at me:
1) Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven, live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. No matter what opportunities come my way or opposition is raised up against I must evaluate my life with in the framework of the good news message of Jesus. This means that I must strive for holiness, justice, grace, mercy, compassion and righteousness and not allow myself to make excuses for when I miss that mark.
2) It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ...to suffer for him. In NA Christianity (and I think it is spreading to other parts of the world) we see suffering as a mark of spiritual faultiness. If someone suffers, they must be sinning somehow or have a lack of faith. According to Paul, suffering for the sake of Christ is a privilege that is granted by God on behalf of Jesus. Am I worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ? Based on the fact that I am not suffering, the answer must be "no". I know that I should desire to be worthy and I should pray that God would prepare me to be given the privilege of suffering for Christ but the truth is that I like to be comfortable and safe and I'm afraid of pain.
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1 comment:
These things are hard to grasp. I think we have all suffered in one way or another. We have all been through something that has made us suffer. Maybe the fact is that God allows us to suffer in a way that he knows we are prepared to handle at the time.
But may you be able to stand firm when the big storms come. May you be able to take solice in the fact that God has the power to conquer all things, and may you be able to truly say, that for me to live is Christ and for me to die is gain. Amen.
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