Chapter 1, Verse 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,”
Paul now turns his attention away from his imprisonment to the situation in Philippi itself. Paul had been talking about himself but now talks about them. A real shift in pronouns. He is confident that his situation will work out, but he is concerned about how things will progress in Philippi. Their manner of life is important to him whether he gets out of prison and on to Philippi or not. The gospel of Christ is always utmost in Paul’s mind and he desires to see that his friends in Philippi are living a life that is worthy of what Jesus has done for them.
He mentions two things that would give him the assurance he desires. First one is actually two points: they were standing firm and they were doing it in unity. Paul knows what the church is facing in a pagan city and he knows that Satan is warring against Christians everywhere. He has firsthand experience in that persecution. Their lives, both individually and collectively, would be fraught with vicious attacks. Paul knew that fighting as one body in one spirit would give them a better chance at victory.
Secondly, they had to be united in their faith in the gospel. The truth of what Jesus did on the cross was the glue that would hold them together and standing together increased their chances of success. Their victory would not be in their own strength but in the power of the gospel in their corporate lives.
Task for Today: Our fight against evil is no different today. Are you doing the things Paul says are necessary? First, are you living in such a manner as to be worthy of the gospel. Do you honor the sacrifice of Jesus in your daily activities? Secondly, are you standing firm and striving for the faith in conjunction with others? Is your daily life involved in the life of the church where you worship and serve? Today is a good time to take stock of the Philippians, but an even better day to take stock of oneself.
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