The Conduct of a Soldier

Scripture: 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;

Insights:  War is an ugly thing in human history.  Yet when we read stories like King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table or J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, we see the authors use language that depicts the renown of battle and the valiant people with their many exploits of bravery.  From this aspect, war is exciting as we watch evil defeated and the extremely outnumbered champions for good walk in victory.  Paul in the book of Philippians turns the page and helps us understand that in the midst of spiritual warfare there is a place for joy and exciting worship.  The first place he starts is with our conduct as warriors for Jesus.  We are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and this worthy manner has two parts.  The first part is that we are standing firm in one spirit.  In other words, because we are born again, the same Spirit resides within us.  We, therefore, ought to all be under His Lordship and obey His commands.  This concept is so important to our walk as Christians that Paul tells us sixteen times in this short little letter that we ought to be unified in one way or another.  In this verse this thought is communicated through the idea of standing firm in one spirit.  There is, however, a second way we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and it also carries with it the theme of unity.  We are also to strive together for the faith in one mind.  As we read the Bible our minds are transformed according to Romans chapter twelve verse two.  As this transforming process takes place the more our fellow brothers and sisters think the same way we are thinking regarding the faith and the gospel.  Beloved, let me encourage you to spend time reading His Word and worshipping together in a biblically centered church.  As you grow, heed the admonition of Paul and conduct yourself as one of His soldiers in a manner worthy of the gospel that so changed your life and set you free.

Questions:

1.  Are you standing firm in one spirit with your fellow Christ-followers?

2.  Are you united by one mind for the faith of the gospel?

Prayer: Father, I so often want to make people uniform to my desires, but that is never Your plan.  You desire for Your children to be united in by Your Spirit in faith for the purpose of the expansion of the gospel.  May this be true of me and my family, which is the body of Christ.  Amen.