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, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. - Philippians 1:27–30
Paul here is speaking to "all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi", and what is first strikes me is that his description of the manner of life which is worthy of the gospel of Christ is corporate. Christ has joined his people into one body, and so they are to live out the Christ-life in one spirit and one mind, contending for the one gospel faith. Is my understanding of the Christian faith too private and individualistic? Or do I embrace living out my faith alongside others in Christian community?
Another thing that strikes me here is that Christian suffering (suffering for the sake of Christ) is "granted" unto believers, almost like a privilege. And Paul does not make this statement from an ivory tower of abstraction, but as one who has suffered and is still suffering for Christ's sake. He has experienced the privilege of suffering that brings him into greater depths of relationship with God and further into participation in Christ. Will I shun suffering for the sake of Christ in this world even though it will bring greater intimacy with and joy in him?
What about you? How does this passage speak to you?
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