“The world is not interested in an anemic, spineless Christianity. They are impacted by courageous Christians.” - Grant Richison
Paul was an example of uncommon courage wherever he was called by God to be (even in a prison cell). Now he encourages the Philippians to be an example of uncommon courage where they were called to be.
Paul gives three directives to the Philippians that were designed to encourage them to be bold for Christ, even when they faced resistance or rejection for sharing the Gospel.
1. Reflect on the story of the Gospel - v. 27a
The gospel is the declaration of how God has made it possible for men to obtain the forgiveness of their sins and the assurance of eternal life. The gospel is also a new and higher standard of conduct for Christians that we are commanded to live up to. Paul challenged the Philippians to make sure that their lives were lived in a manner worthy of the Gospel. What impact can the story of the Gospel have on the how we conduct ourselves in the face of opposition?
A. Christ was sent on redemptive mission by the Father.
I, too, am sent on redemptive mission.
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.‟” - John 20:21 (NIV)
This means my life has an eternal purpose, God has a plan for me. As I surrender to His will, everything in my life takes on eternal significance. Even suffering. Even persecution.
B. Christ suffered the penalty for sin for our sake.
As I live on redemptive mission, any sacrifice made, and effort put forth, any price paid to share the Good News will be worthwhile because there will those who experience life as a result. As Jesus said in the parable of the sower, there may be hard soil, there may be rocky soil, there may be weed infested soil, but there will also be good soil!
“So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.” - 2 Corinthians 4:12 (NLT)
C. Christ showed His victory over sin by rising from the dead.
We can remain faithful despite opposition because the power to win the victory does not depend on us, but on the One who we represent! Ultimate victory is ours, no matter what other might do to us! Just as the Father came through for Jesus, the risen Christ will come through for us! As Paul says earlier in this very epistle (Philippians 1:21), “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” The writer of Hebrews put it this way:
“So we say with confidence, „The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?‟” - Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” - Matthew 10:28 (NIV)
Ironically, whenever we face rejection or persecution for sharing the Gospel, the one who should be afraid is not us, but the one who is opposing us. We have nothing to fear from God, but they, on the other hand, definitely do.
D. Christ now saves all who come to Him by faith.
Christ saved us when we chose to place our faith and trust in Him; and just as He saved us, He can save others. Therefore, it is worth the possibility of facing rejection; of facing persecution, for sharing the Good News. It is worth it because of those who choose to say, “yes” to Christ.
“One day, when Vice-President Calvin Coolidge was presiding over the Senate, one senator angrily told another to go “straight to hell.” The offended Senator complained to Coolidge as presiding officer, and Coolidge looked up from the book he had been leafing through while listening to the debate and wittily replied. “I’ve looked through the rule book,” he said, “You don’t have to go.”
When we face opposition, rejection, or persecution for the sake of the Gospel, we can be encouraged as we reflect on the fact that no matter how extreme the rejection of the Gospel might be, even if that opposition costs us our lives, the worst that can happen to us is that we go to heaven. But the reason we should remain faithful to share the Good News despite the opposition is that others can go to heaven, too.
2. Remember the priority of the Gospel - vs. 27b-28
The word “frightened” means to be startled. Paul tells us that we should not be surprised if there are those who oppose us in our work of sharing the Good News. Instead, we should be resolved, all the more, to remained focused on the task of fulfilling the Great Commission.
As the old saying goes, “There is strength in numbers.” Paul recognized this and called on the Philippians to remain united, especially in the face of opposition. Ironically, that which would serve to unite them would be the very thing for which they would likely face opposition - a common commitment to obeying the Great Commission. This kind of unity, Paul says, is a powerful sign to unbelievers that they will be destroyed and that believers will be saved - in other words, this kind of unity will serve to powerfully persuade unbelievers of the truth of our message.
Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between a spotlight and a laser beam? How can a medium-powered laser burn through steel in a matter of seconds, while the most powerful spotlight can only make it warm? Both may have the same electrical power requirements. The difference is unity; and that unity comes from focus.
A spotlight may have just as many photons as a laser, but each is going its own independent way, occasionally interfering with other photons. As a result, much of its power is wasted and cannot be focused to do any useful work. However, the laser, because its photons move in unity toward a common focus, can be a powerful force, which overcomes impressive barriers.
That is what Paul is telling us here. We should not be surprised when obstacles arise in our efforts to share the Good News. That should not startle us. Instead, we must remain united around the focus of obeying the Great Commission. As we do, even some of the most stubborn in opposition will be overcome by the power of God.
3. Rejoice in the ministry of the Gospel - vs. 29-30
Paul speaks of the Philippians’ suffering here as being a blessing from God. What is He talking about? Well, the fact that he compares their suffering to his own struggle let’s us know the answer. Their struggle, their suffering stemmed from the conflict that Paul mentioned was going on within himself in verses 23-24:
“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” - Philippians 1:23-24 (NIV)
Some say one can be so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. The Bible would present the perspective, however, that one can be so worldly minded they are no heavenly good.
The phrase “conduct yourselves” in verse 27, literally means “live as citizens.” Paul uses the noun form in Philippians 3:20a where Paul says, “But our citizenship [politeuma] is in heaven.” Paul says that since we are a citizen of heaven, while we are on earth we are to behave like heaven’s citizen. If we are to be of any earthly good, we must be heavenly minded - we must not forget we are citizens of the heaven, and should allow that focus to impact our conduct.
The Philippians and Paul had their minds on heaven and the things of the kingdom of heaven. And the same was true of Christ.
“Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source]. Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.” - John 18:36-37 (Amplified)
Because Christ was heavenly minded, He was willing to suffer in our place and thus, bring about something of tremendous earthly good - provision of forgiveness for the sins of the world. And this was the suffering the Philippians and Paul was called to - the sufferings of Christ. Paul called it “the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).
Why do we commonly call the suffering that Jesus endured through His crucifixion for our redemption, His “passion?” Because His willingness to sacrifice Himself and suffer on our behalf came from His passion to see a lost world redeemed.
As Christ’s followers, we are called to live our lives with that same passion. A passion that says, whatever the sacrifice, it is worth it for the possibility of someone coming to Christ.
When Jesus sacrificed Himself for the whole world, He knew that not everyone would benefit from His sacrifice. But the sacrifice was worth it if only for the possibility. Likewise, we must recognize that sharing the Gospel is worth whatever sacrifice is required if only for the possibility of someone coming to Christ. So let’s be bold. For the world is not interested in an anemic, spineless Christianity. They are impacted by courageous Christians.
