…in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of
destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's
sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw
in me, and now hear to be in me.
Philippians 1:28-30
Paul had a heart
for the Philippians. He had a desire in
his heart to see them grow spiritually, to progress in their faith and confidence
in the Lord. In Philippians
1:27-30 he gave them some principles on how a Christian should be a
Christian. The first and second principles
are:
• There
Is A Conduct Expected Of A Christian
• There
Is A Co-Operation Exhibited As A Christian
The third principle
Paul gave the Philippians is:
·
There Is A Conflict Experienced By A
Christian - For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not
only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw
in me, and now hear to be in me.
Paul’s words are
very interesting for he declares that there is a certain Christian behavior to
be seen in the conflicts of life. It is
one thing to behave as a Christian a certain way when things are going well. It is another thing to behave as a Christian
when things are going bad. Some will
shout on the mountain but pout in the valley.
Paul said that we
should not be "alarmed" by our adversaries. The word
means "to be intimidated." The word was used of a high-strung horse
that shies at every strange movement and sound. He is describing a specific kind of behavior
that ought to be manifested on our part when we face adversity in life. He tells us there is a reason for Christian
behavior in such times.
There Is A Public Revealing Of Our Faith. Paul says that how we behave when under fire is a "sign."
The words mean "proof." If a
Christian behaves as a Christian when things are tough it is proof of 3 things:
1.
First
is proof that our faith is real. Paul
said it was an "evident token of perdition." (KJV) The word "perdition" speaks of those
that are lost. Our behavior reveals to
the lost that our faith is more than a form of life, it is a force in life. It says that Christianity is real! Lastly, it shows that our God is real. Paul
added, "and that too, from God." The secret to Christian behavior in
the fire and under fire is a God that equips and enables. It says that God is a
God of power and provision.
2.
Secondly,
it is proof that we are real. Paul said "but of salvation for you." It shows that we have the real thing. The indication is that if one does not have
the real thing, they will not behave in the fire and under fire as a Christian.
It shows that we have more than a
profession. We have a possession.
3.
Lastly,
it shows that our God is real. Paul
added, "and
that too, from God." The
secret to Christian behavior in the fire and under fire is a God that equips
and enables. It says that God is a God
of power and provision.
This world will
never believe what we say until they see what we believe. Nothing catches the world's attention any
faster than to see someone in the hour of adversity behave in a valiant and
virtuous manner. It tells them that it is real!
There Is A Personal Rewarding Of Our Faith -
Notice verse 1:29, " For to you it has been granted
for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His
sake;"
Paul tells us that
adversity is "granted" to us on the behalf of Christ. It is a gift of God. It puts us in unique company…the Lord Jesus. In the fire we not only have the privilege of
believing on Christ, but suffering with Christ. If we looked at all our adversity in this
light, it would change the way we behave in it. We would no longer view it as a problem over
which to grumble, but a privilege in which to glory.
We can apply these
principles to our lives – to strive to be Christian in our conduct -
co-operation -conflict. We will still
stumble and sometimes even fall down.
Living a Christian lifestyle will not make things easier or guarantee us
no pain and hardships. In fact,
sometimes it will be much harder but the reward is great. First, to be an example to all watching you,
and second, to know that you have done your very best to live a life that
glorifies God and says to the world I am
a Christian!
…but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:5-6
