Light Brings Salt

Volume 2, Issue 20 May 23, 2004

Iron Range Bible Church

Dedicated to the Systematic Exposition of the Word of God

Standing Firm - Conduct Worthy of the Gospel

We find in Philippians 1:27 the beginning of a series of exhortations designed to encourage them to unity and courage in view of the external opposition that they were experiencing and that would increase in the years ahead. Paul clearly expresses his concern for their spiritual well being of the sheep.

1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; NASB

The importance of our walk as believers is emphasized by the imperative mood of the verb - conduct yourselves.

The word politeu,omai means to perform the duties of a citizen; It refers to one's duty as a member of a body, an organization (from it comes our word politics).

Often it was used to refer to the duties that one was responsible for as a member of a community. It could be translated "behave as citizens" or "Perform your duties as good citizens". [implies a framework for expected behavior; parameters expected] The Present imperative stresses that this action is to be continuous and habitual for the believer.

Roman citizenship meant a great deal to the citizens of Philippi. Agustus had given the city two names, #1 Colonia, Agustus Julia Philipensis and #2 jus Italium (little Italy). This put them on the same status as those living in Rome. The "only" that begins this section indicates that the obedience to the command given here is to be given primary or sole attention. It is to be followed regardless of what happens to me or the persecutions that you may receive.

"Whatever happens conduct yourselves as good citizens.."

Need to remember that as Paul writes he is in prison, it is his expectation to be released so he could continue his ministry, but this is not the real issue, He says the real issue Philippian believers and for us as believers of the 20th century is our living the Christian life today.

The adverb describes the manner of our conduct as worthy = axiwj means to have the weight of another thing and really could be translated as "weigh as much as". The believers conduct is to weigh as much as the Word of God which we believe. Our conduct, our pattern of life should be in balance with the doctrine which we believe. This is only possible as we live out and apply the truth that we know!

Just as all loyal Philippians desired to live up to their high calling and the special privilege of being citizens of Rome, so the Christians in Philippi were to live up to their high calling as citizens of the kingdom of God.

Thus Paul exhorted them to live "in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." That is their position and standing in Christ. This is not an unfamiliar concept from the pen of Paul. (Eph 4:1; Col. 1:10; 1 Ths 2:12)

Paul next lays out the strategy to accomplish this command, to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, and he uses an athletic metaphor, striving together, to make his point.

Paul first stresses again the thought that "whatever happens" whether I come or remain absent..... it should not impact their conduct as believers and he is going to tell them and us by application how to accomplish this.

He shifts from the familiar - their responsibility as citizens of Rome to draw on their familiarity with athletic contests that were very common in the day. It is Paul's desire to hear of them that they are standing firm - solid in the faith, to do this they must have a good defensive strategy. Standing firm (sthkw) points to one who doesn't budge one inch from his position. He knows what is right, sticks with it and does it.

To stand firm in one spirit refers to a having a common mental attitude. It takes more than a believer here or there to hold the line against the persistent thrust and pressure of the kosmos it takes teamwork, the whole team, the local church, the gathered body of believers working together. Paul's focus here is the Philippian church and its proper function.

Principle must be the same in any and every local church regardless of size. There must be teamwork with all who are Christ centered.

Principle: Great defenses have been fractured and destroyed by lack of unity and bad mental attitudes, true in any team sport. This teamwork is achieved by having our attitudes, our viewpoint on life determined by the same set of beliefs and values, that is, all determined by the Word of God. As the saying goes all being on the same page. This is impossible with out the active ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. (Eph 4:3)

Paul next shifts to an offensive strategy.

Striving together (sunaqle,w) describes believers as laborers working together in a common cause, toiling by the side of, to struggle along with someone. We must compete as a team which fits well with the emphasis of unified effort Paul is stressing here - in one spirit, with one mind striving together.

This united effort is to revolve around "the faith" (th/| pi,stei). By using the definite article it refers here to the body of faith, the truth, doctrine that we are to believe and to maintain the purity and consistency of, as it was given to us. This striving is not against anyone or anything but is for something positive, the body of truth God gave us. For them to win against the opponents of Christianity (overt then - more covert today but its there in an ever increasing degree) they had to take a strong defensive stance - keep on standing firm. But also they had to exert offensive effort, that is to keep on contending for the faith. (Jude 1:3 appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.)

During the first generation of the C/A as during the OT period much truth was not only orally given but communicated from generation to generation orally. Out of that wider body of truth some under the principle of inspiration became a part of the permanent record, the canon of Scripture. This is what is in view here, once, a[pax adverb, describes the fact that at a point of time this revelation from God was completed and therefore unchangeable. One of the clearest marks of a cult is that they want to add to the revelation, or to distort and misapply the text, what the revelation says.

Did you notice in Jude 1:3 to whom this "the faith" was delivered? Its to the saints (toi/j a`gi,oij) the set apart ones; i.e. the whole body of Christ.

Many times the local body of believers depends on the pastor to contend for the faith, or to look to those in leadership positions in the church. Paul here is saying that every believer has a responsibility to be involved in advancing the cause of Christ through the ministry of the local church. We should have a confident attitude or reassurance in the midst of the daily battles, that is if we stay focused on our Savior and His grace resources through the Word and Spirit for life and godliness.

Quote of the Week!

Senator Zell Miller of Georgia weighs in with some common sense related to the abuse scandal.

"Those who are wringing their hands and shouting so loudly for 'heads to roll' over [the abuse] seem to have conveniently overlooked the fact that someone's head has rolled - that of another innocent American brutally murdered by terrorists," said Sen. Zell Miller, Georgia Democrat. "Why is it that there's more indignation over a photo of a prisoner with underwear on his head than over the video of a young American with no head at all?"