Slices
Prepare
Consider how you have lived in a manner not worthy of the gospel in the past few days. Confess these failures and ask God’s forgiveness through Jesus.
Bible passage
Life worthy of the gospel
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Explore
Conduct yourselves’ (v 27) means ‘live as citizens’, that is, live in the public square among your fellow citizens (the related noun, ‘citizenship’, is used in 3:20). Their faith in Jesus is not a private affair but must influence and transform their lives in Philippi. This would be challenging, for they would have to refuse or resist aspects of Philippian life, such as joining in festivals to other gods. Others might misunderstand or be actively hostile, and they might suffer (v 29).
Imagine a couple who are bakers in Philippi who become Christians. What would change? They would remove the statue of the city’s patron god from the counter in their shop, resulting in customers suspecting disloyalty to the city, and their sales would drop. Fellow bakers would refuse help when they had a big order and needed to borrow other ovens. Their suffering would be economic. They might lose their business and have to beg.
In that situation, other believers’ support would be critical: to ‘stand firm in the one Spirit’ (v 27) would include both prayer and practical help. These Christian bakers would need other believers to buy their bread. This support, enabled by the Spirit, would enable them not to be frightened (v 28).
Respond
Think of Christians known to you who suffer. Are there prayerful and practical ways in which you can support them? Act on this!
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 51,52; Hebrews 9
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Faith Guide Izzi and her team in North Cornwall as they build a monthly Grow Community call Limitless. They expected only five to their first session but thirteen arrived. Pray that more will connect and that those who are following Jesus will grow in faith.
