PHILIPPIANS 1: 27...
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Make this one thing your care; nothing else.
Paul exhorts the Philippians to steadfastness. Only — Whatever becomes of me, be you sure to mind this; that your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ — That is, suitable to the light and grace of it; to its doctrines, precepts, promises, ordinances, and all its privileges; answerable to the discoveries which it makes to you of your original and fallen state, of your redemption and salvation in and through Christ Jesus, and of the wonderful love of God manifested thereby; of the holy and happy state into which you are in a measure already brought, and of the unspeakably greater felicity and glory reserved for you hereafter; and withal, of the danger you are in from the assaults of the many subtle and powerful enemies that are combined against you. In other words, See that you be humble and thankful, loving and obedient, watchful and circumspect; and always giving diligence to be found of Christ in peace, without spot and blameless.
Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as becomes those who believe gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upon gospel promises. The original word conversation denotes the conduct of citizens who seek the credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is that in the faith of the gospel, which is worth striving for; much opposition, and there is need of striving.
A man may sleep and go to hell; but he who would go to heaven, must look about him and be diligent. There may be oneness of heart and affection among Christians, where there is diversity of judgment about many things. Faith is God's gift on the behalf of Christ; the ability and disposition to believe are from God. And if we suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are to reckon them a gift, and prize them accordingly. Yet salvation must not be ascribed to bodily afflictions, as though afflictions and worldly persecutions deserved it; but from God only is salvation: faith and patience are his gifts.
Only let your conversation - The word "conversation" we now apply almost exclusively to oral discourse, or to talking. But it was not formerly confined to that and is never so used in the Scriptures. It means conduct in general - including, of course, our manner of speaking, but not limited to that - and should be so understood in every place where it occurs in the Bible. The original word used here - πολιτεύω politeuō - means properly "to administer the state; to live as a citizen; to conduct oneself according to the laws and customs of a state;" see Acts 23:1. It would not be improperly rendered: "let your conduct as a citizen be as becomes the gospel;" and might without impropriety, though not exclusively, be referred to our deportment as members of a community, or citizens of a state. It undoubtedly implies that, as citizens, we should act, in all the duties which that relation involves - in maintaining the laws, in submission to authority, in the choice of rulers, etc., as well as in other relations - on the principles of the gospel; for the believer is bound to perform every duty on Christian principles. But the direction here should not be confined to that. It doubtless includes our conduct in all relations in life, and refers to our deportment in general; not merely as citizens of the state, but as members of the church, and in all other relations. In our manner of speech, our plans of living, our dealings with others, our conduct and walk in the church and out of it - all should be done as becomes the gospel. The direction, therefore, in this place, is to be understood of everything pertaining to conduct.
(1) The rules of the gospel are to be applied to all our conduct - to our conversation, business transactions, modes of dress, style of living, entertainments, etc. There is nothing which we do, or say, or purpose, that is to be excepted from those rules.
(2) there is a way of living which is appropriate to the gospel, or which is such as the gospel requires. There is something which the gospel would secure as its proper fruits in all our conduct, and by which our lives should be regulated. It would distinguish us from the frivolous, and from those who seek honor and wealth as their supreme object. If all Christians were under the influence of the gospel, there would be something in their dress, temper, conversation, and aims, which would distinguish them from others; The gospel is not a thing of nothing; nor is it intended that it should exert no influence on its friends.
(3) it is very important that Christians should frame their lives by the rules of the gospel, and, to this end, should study them and know what they are. This is important:
(a) because they are the best and wisest of all rules;
(b) because it is only in this way that Christians can do good;
(c) because they have solemnly covenanted with the Lord to take his laws as their guide;
(d) because it is only in this way that they can enjoy religion; and,
(e) because it is only by this that they can have peace on a dying bed.
If people live as "becometh the gospel," they live well. Their lives are honest and honorable; they are people of truth and uprightness; they will have no sources of regret when they die, and they will not give occasion to their friends to hang their heads with shame in the remembrance of them. No man on a dying bed ever yet regretted that he had framed his life by the rules of the gospel, or felt that his conduct had been conformed too much to it.
LOVE SEES us existing IN HIS WILL, and KEEPS us focused UPON HIM, and our journey home! LOVE AIDS us in growing, and developing in conscientious ways, as we bear fruits WORTHY of our ONENESS IN HIM; humbly so! LOVE covers SO much of our partnership WITH HIM, and ASSURES that we REMAIN IN HIM, no matter what, AND that we SEEK UNITY IN THE BODY OF THE CHURCH, for we ARE AS ONE, ROOTED IN THE CHRIST JESUS, OUR LORD, and SAVIOUR! LOVE FINDS us PROACTIVE IN HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, HIS WORD; FOR HIS GLORY, and for the good of others!!!
It shouldn't be so difficult for us to conduct ourselves according TO HIS WILL, and HIS GIFT OF GRACE, yet, it is, especially when this old world hurls our way, those obstacles, snares, and deceptions which MIGHT throw us for a loop IF we are NOT as involved IN our BLESSED state as we should be! Ever learning, ever growing, ever improving IN HIS NAME IS our role, and duty!!!
I think a big mistake that many make is to think it is all on HIM, because throughout THE BIBLE we SEE that we DO have part IN partnership WITH HIM! FOR SURE, ONLY THROUGH HIM CAN we do ANY thing, and still, we HAVE to open, attentive, thus, workable!!!
LWINSOR © 2016
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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