Our scripture this morning is Philippians 1:27-30.
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”
Paul’s ministry was a struggle from the very beginning. His experience of being called by Jesus on the way to Damascus changed him from the chief persecutor of the church to the most eloquent and strident supporter of the church (Acts 9:1-19). He writes that our struggle may be different, but that it is part of our trust in Christ to stand against a sinful world.
Jesus came to show us that the ways of the world are not the ways of God. When we turn from sin and accept Him as our savior, our lives are changed forever. It is then our task to go in His love to change the lives of others.
Paul reminds us “we are in this struggle together” (v. 30). While we must choose to follow Jesus as individuals, we go in His name as the church. No one is alone in God’s love, and we stand united as the body of Christ.
Gracious God, we are thankful for those You have sent to teach and encourage us in our faith. Help us to reach out to all the world with the Good News of Your coming kingdom. Amen.