by Sylvia Dickson
I am posting on Saturday before Easter. In verse 27 Paul tells us to let our lives be worthy of the gospel. This is the gospel: Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, joyfully obeying all of the Father’s commands. He suffered from temptations by Satan, was reviled by mean, judged unfairly, and crucified as our sin-bearer and experienced God’s wrath for us. He was buried, but after 3 days, he came back to life as he had said. We believe and are saved.
27 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,
So, here it is, folks. You are on the line for Christ. Your behavior matters. Your beliefs matter. Your affections matter. Your speech matters. Your relationships matter. Your work matters. Your unity as a church matters. Your worship matters. Your reputation matters. Is how you live gospel-worthy? Are you standing firm on the truth? Are you walking together in the faith? It’s not an easy road to walk, so you need to do it together, side by side. The church is a body, working together for the gospel, helping one another. Living for Christ is not a lonesome life, nor an independent one. With the Spirit of Christ linking us, we are a chain that has no weak links.
28 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.
Together, by faith in Christ, we have security. Paul’s letter to the Romans expands on the fact that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). We meet opposition to the gospel in different places; however, we can stand firm and be assured that God is at work for our good and His glory. Putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) enables us to stand boldly—to fearlessly face opposition and persecution.
Embers: Minor Meditations on Scripture 