Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. (Philippians 1:27–28)In Paul’s mind, the gospel is demonstrated by qualities are in my life whether anyone is watching or not. He points to unity among believers, contending together for the truth of the gospel, and doing so without fear. These qualities are not supposed to be put on or faked because someone is looking. They are supposed to be just there all the time, deeply embedded in our lives.
Unity, next to love, might be the most frequent command in the New Testament for Christians. This isn’t about a robot-like sameness where everyone thinks exactly the same thing (which is true of some cults), but together standing firm on what constitutes genuine saving faith. As Christians, we might disagree on many things, but if we are genuine, we will agree on how a person is saved. It is not by our works of righteousness, but by His mercy!
Contending together for the faith is a mutual effort to make this good news known. It is also about standing together against all who oppose the gospel. Again, we may not agree on all points of faith and practice, but Christians are to be ready to fight to the death for the truth: Jesus was crucified to save sinners and rose again the third day. He offers eternal life to all who trust in Him.
Fearlessness as a behavior worthy of the gospel surprised me at first. Yet as I think about it, this makes sense. If I really believe the Good News about Jesus Christ and salvation (and I do), then what would I fear? Can anyone harm me? After all, even death means life! The Bible clearly states why I have nothing to fear from even the strongest opponents of the gospel.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31–39)Marked by unity and standing together for our faith, Christians can be fearless. What we believe is from God Himself, the One who stands with us and for us. He is our strength and defense.
I can walk worthy, not because I am worthy, but because He has done all these things.
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