Philippians: Portrait of a Mature Christian
Part 3
24th May 2014
What advice would a mature Christian give to his friends? Paul says this:
Philippians 1v27-28a
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and
see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as
one man for the faith of the gospel
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
We who are less mature can be swayed by events. We can blow hot and cold. When we feel good, we try to live as Christians should. When we feel terrible, we pray, and maybe repent. But when we just feel a bit down, a bit discouraged, we can just take God for granted. We can be lukewarm about holiness, praying, meeting together, worshipping, witnessing and all aspects of our Christian life.
Paul says Whatever happens - good, bad or indifferent - conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. I'm sure even in jail, Paul lived the way a Christian should live. And he told his friends that they can - and should - do the same.
Paul loved the people in the church at Philippi so much that he longed to hear good news about them. He didn't know if he'd be able to visit them, or if he'd remain in jail until his execution, but he wanted to hear that they stand firm in one spirit, united as one church, and that they're contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. For all Paul knew, this might be his last communication with them. He used it to urge them to unity and evangelism.
And Paul also wanted to hear confirmation that his friends were not being frightened in any way by those who oppose them. The threat of persecution, jail and death was very real for these people but Paul told them they needn't be afraid. I suppose that whether we're afraid depends on our priorities. Our Lord told us:
Luke 12v4-5
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you
into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
The mature Christian doesn't fear imprisonment, death or even torture. He only fears God.
This proves to me that I'm not a mature Christian, but I pray that I will become one.
Paul continued:
Philippians 1v28b
This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God.
The early church suffered dreadfully at the hands of both the Romans and the Jews. Magnificently, many refused to deny the Lord Jesus Christ, even under the most brutal tortures. As a result, the Good News spread throughout the Roman world, and huge numbers of people were saved from spiritual death and brought into the Kingdom of God.
And today, in many countries, the church endures the same torment that we endured 2,000 years ago. And still many Christians refuse to deny Jesus. And many die. Their place in heaven is assured. And their sacrifice is a sign of the certain victory of the Gospel of Christ. All governments and secular and religious organisations will be destroyed - not by the church, because we're people of peace - but by God Himself.
And all individuals who oppose the Good News and refuse to repent will, sooner or later, be destroyed by God as well.
Philippians 1v29-30
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
By faith, Paul was able to accept that all the difficulties and pain in his life were gifts from God. He says they were granted to him. And our struggles are a gift to us, if only we could believe it. When we become mature, we will.