26 Jan January 25th Weekly Devotional
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, (Philippians 1:27a)
Paul has just made his monumental statement, For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Ch. 1:21)
Is the life that we are living worthy of what Christ has done for us? the Apostle Paul dedicated his entire life to the service of God. He thought he was doing it the right way before his conversion to Christianity, although he was going about it in ignorance of the whole truth. (1 Tim. 1:13b)
Most certainly after he became a Christian he dedicated his life to serving the risen King and helping to strengthen the kingdom established at the resurrection of our Savior. The thing is, Paul, like Christ, is not charging us to take up a lifestyle that he has not been willing to take up himself.
5 times he received 39 stripes, 3 times beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, in peril of being robbed, drown, traveled constantly, both Jews and Greeks against him constantly, no peace in the city or in the countryside, accused falsely, weary and tired, hungry and thirsty often, no shelter, but instead of worrying about how bad he had it, he was in constant concern for the Lord’s church. (2 Cor. 11:23-28, paraphrased)
Paul encourages the church at Philippi not to be afraid of their adversaries. After all, he has told them that if they die in Christ, it is but gain. However, they must suffer with Him, just as he, Paul, has suffered, and is suffering.
Paul reminds Timothy, and us, in 2 Timothy 3:10-12, that he has carefully followed the doctrine and way of life, following the faith and longsuffering in love and perseverance, suffering persecutions and afflictions and tells all of us that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
We find peace not in the world, but in the Lord’s church, among our Christian brothers and sisters. This is the community we find solace in, where Jesus Christ is everyone’s main priority, and everything else follows after that.
Paul further writes to the church at Phillipi, Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Ch. 2:1-2)
So as we being this week, let’s start working on a conduct in ourselves that is worthy of Christ, and let’s start by building a Christ centered community, and we can start by building a Christ centered home. If we can help you in anyway, please do not hesitate to reach out. I love you all.
