Philippians 1:27-2:4

Bringing the sermon home:

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are to “let [our] manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”, which means that we must not behave as though we belong to another master and thereby bring disrepute upon the name of Christ that we bear as His disciples.

Paul’s strong emphasis on unity reveals the necessity of unity in order for a local church to be effective in the mission with which we have been entrusted. However, this is not a call for unity at all costs, but rather unity in and for “the faith of the gospel”. Unity is built by uniting around a common goal, and our Lord has made that goal perfectly clear: go and make disciples, at all costs.

May we faithfully and boldly be found “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of gospel, and not frightened in anything by [our] opponents”, willingly suffering ridicule and worse for the sake of the witness this bears to those who at first take offense to the gospel, and for the glory of Christ.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

(See follow-up article here.)