Philippians 1:27-30 Hold the Line, Stand By the Truth

Philippians 1:27-30

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 that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Background

Paul prepares the church to become a heavenly community that serves as a model for families and organizations. People must experience that difference when they enter into the church community. In doing so, they are captivated by its ideals and change the way they operate in their families and organizations. Inevitably, the church’s values system will face oppositions from the agent of darkness. Hence, the church must be prepared to stand by the truth and hold the line in the face of persecutions and worldly influence. This will be a clear sign of the enemies’ demise and the salvation of the church.

Observation

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.

This might very well be Paul’s last words to the Philippians believers. With his court sentencing drawing near, he gives careful instructions concerning the kind of church that will serve as a heavenly community for the gospel.

Standing firm in one spirit depicts the identity and culture of a heavenly community; whose members are of heavenly origin and destiny. As the heavenly Spirit fills the members of the community, their hearts begin to regenerate and exhibit a heavenly lifestyle. The Spirit that indwells each believer provides the basis and motivation for a heavenly lifestyle and reminds us of our heavenly origin and destiny.

With one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel refers to making up our minds to persevere in living out the truth of the gospel without compromise. The church community serves as a support system for truth-filled living as well as a greenhouse that cultivates each member in preparation to be sent out as living examples of Christ.

Before a church can begin to expand and grow in numbers, she must first understand her heavenly origin and call: one spirit. The church must also discipline herself to train her members to live according to the truth and to support one another by forgiving and believing in one anther. In doing so, the church becomes heaven on earth and a greenhouse of training and mutual support for her members.

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. 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, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

The believers of Philippi were persecuted because of their belief that Christ is the Son of God as well as their association with Paul. Their lives were threatened and they were accused of the very same things that Paul and Christ had been accused of: engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. The clear and present conflict concerned the identity of Jesus as Son of God and the values system that Christ stood for.

The root of most conflicts boils down to human pride and the desire for power and wealth. Man refuses to acknowledge Christ as Lord and strives to be independent of God’s rule. The agents of darkness in order to shore up their prominence and to accumulate power and persecute the church preventing them from speaking the word of truth. The opponents here could refer to corrupt government officials or other religious organizations vying to increase their membership. Paul encouraged believers to be resolute in standing firm on the truth and not to compromise in the face of threat: And not frightened in anything by your opponents. The defacto weapon of the devil is intimidation and persecution. To stand firm would mean in no uncertain terms their eventual destruction and the victory of believers: This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation. However, Paul in no attempt to veil the inseparableness of suffering and faith phrases it this way: 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. The word granted means to freely give as a favor, which denotes suffering for the sake of Christ as a divine privilege leading to eternal glory.

Truth

The church serves as a model of a heavenly community for families and for organizations. Hence, pastors need to above all create an environment in their church where truth and love thrives by installing leaders who are mature. People need to first see and experience what a heavenly community is like, so that they could begin to transform their own families and organizations according to that heavenly model. A community without strife, gossips and petty quarrels; where members put another’s interests before their own and the culture of speaking the truth in love. It takes time and attention to detail to build such a community of truth and love. Hence, pastors and organization leaders need to take their time to build and choose their leaders and managers carefully. A community of truth and love will grow steadily and healthily even in the face of oppositions and attacks.

If you stand firm in the truth without compromising, you expose the works of the devil and reap eternal rewards. In companies or churches that are accustomed to letting injustice fester for fear of angering certain cherished employees or members will see a gradual decay of their organization at all fronts. However, if the truth is constantly upheld in justice and fairness, the organization will continue to flourish in all seasons. By upholding truth and justice and by exposing the works of the devil, we posture our church and organization towards prosperity. Psalm 1:3 say,

The man of truth is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Application

Take time to build a right foundation in your family, church and company by upholding the truth without bias or favoritism. Judge each situation objectively and fairly and not be swayed by person sentiments. A culture that stands on the truth will produce right relationships and work ethics that will produce the right conditions for creativity and growth.

Dear Lord, help me build a right foundation of truth and love in my family. Use me to contribute to the building of a heavenly community in the church. Give me the wisdom and the courage to uphold truth and justice in my workplace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.