Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Worthy Conduct (Phil. 1:27-28)

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
(Philippians 1:27-28, NKJV)

“… let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ …”

Today’s verses start with a huge dose of conviction for me—and perhaps for you as well. Is my conduct worthy of the gospel? If someone I know “absent” from me hears of me, would she know I’m a follower of Christ? Would someone know the same of you?

Or even more convicting, do nonbelievers see us and see a body of believers who are united? Who are “striving together for the faith of the gospel”? Do they see boldness? Unabashed joy and desire to share God’s word?

Instead, do they see a group of people who are so focused on our adversaries we’re timid? Afraid to tell others of our hope of salvation?

A quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi says, “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”

I pray for all of us that we not only “talk our talk,” but we always “walk our walk.” May our conduct reflect our Lord—always.

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