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, 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. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict you saw that I had and now hear that I still have.
Philippians 1:27-30
After spending vv. 12-26 highlighting how his circumstances have led to the visible display of and verbal proclamation of the Gospel, Paul turns in these verses (and continuing through much of chapter 2) to address the Christians in Philippi. He is urging here for similar conduct as he has outlined in his personal testimony above. He gets at this conduct by encouraging a mindset of single focus. The Philippians are to reckon every circumstance and situation as an opportunity for the gospel of Jesus Christ to advance.
As I study Philippians, I am taken aback time and time again by Paul’s outlook. He is writing from prison and yet has immense joy and resolve to honor Christ regardless of his circumstances. I know from experience that it is an ongoing struggle to adopt Paul’s perspective! Though it is exhausting and often discouraging when I fail to resemble Paul in this, I am convinced by this text that the struggle is worth it. The mindset Paul has is necessary for the conduct he exhorts the Philippians to exemplify.
The “manner of life” Paul is speaking of here has the idea of citizenship. (Paul will use the same terminology in 3:20 to say that our citizenship is in heaven.) He does not speak of an earthly society, but rather a heavenly one. The policies and governing authority are radically different than our earthly counterparts. Our new citizenship is not built upon survival of the fittest or an eye for an eye. It isn’t built on personal gain and self promotion. It’s investments aren’t aimed at a 401k. And so we err when we function within our new jurisdiction with former, dead principles.
Paul is essentially saying in v. 27 “Live as citizens of heaven in a manner worthy of the gospel.” We are now governed by grace. Grace reigns supreme in this new realm. In v. 29, we see that it is the gracious gift of God to grant belief. Salvation comes through the gift of God’s grace. And not just belief, but suffering. Paul argues that suffering is not simply a necessary evil until the full gift of salvation can be obtained. He says that God graciously gifts suffering to citizens of heaven! To state the obvious, this is radically counterintuitive for us. But it’s biblical.
Citizens of heaven are ruled by grace. And they recognize that even suffering is God’s gracious gift because it provides an opportunity to shine light on the grace of God and compels people to believe the gospel.
We need to ask ourselves both as individuals and as the body of Christ the following question: What would life look like if I received everything that comes my way as a gracious gift of God and an privileged opportunity to bring glory to Jesus and credibility to his gospel? Is it overdoing it to claim that as a good mindset to fight for? Paul doesn’t think so. He is in prison and unsure whether or not he will be executed or be released, and we read that he is rejoicing in the gospel going forth and in his future and ultimate deliverance.
In his personal update, he barely mentions his circumstances. He doesn’t talk about how dark and musty the prison is. He doesn’t talk about the anxiety of wondering where his next meal may come from. He doesn’t dwell on the brothers preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry who are looking to discourage Paul. He rejoices in the position he is in and how it advances the mission of King Jesus.
I dare say that as local churches and as individual Christians who dwell in the land of grace, so too does every opportunity, trial, and circumstance we encounter become a sweet chance to display Christ and his kingdom.
Sadly, I find myself so often complaining, bemoaning my circumstances, wishing life was different. All while being encouraged by this letter Paul wrote urging all Christians to count everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (3:8).
Maybe there are trials we will face which no one will ever see. Can we still say that they become opportunities to display Christ? God sees them all. God is glorified when we live in the realm of grace.
Practically, I think this means a few things. When tempted, we remember the grace that saved us, the extreme cost our salvation required from God, the justice poured out at Calvary…and we reject the desire to sin because we are dead to it and alive to God in Christ Jesus by his grace. When suffering, we receive it as coming from God, a God who has drawn us near to himself in Christ, a God who is not bewildered or dismayed by our suffering, a God who sympathizes and understands because he took on flesh. When angry or offended, we lay aside our desire for justice because grace is a higher power than justice. We practice long-suffering because we know that God makes all wrongs right in the end. Yet, when seeing others abused and rejected, we intervene on their behalf because Christ intervened on our behalf. We don’t let society dictate who is important and worth our time. We let grace determine that…and if by grace God determined us to be worth his time, then we receive everyone in that same light.
What a joy to be citizens of heaven. What a responsibility to actively be governed by and govern our lives by grace rather than temporary, human wisdom. What a sweet privilege to be gifted opportunities to suffer while believing whole-heartedly in the redemption secured by Christ.
We are governed by grace and must seek to glorify our God by letting grace abound in our lives for the sake of Christ and his gospel. Let us strive side by side for this common faith we share, united in our desire to let grace have its way in our lives and in the lives of everyone we meet.
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