Standing Firm in the Spirit
Barbaranne Kelly, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
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 (Philippians 1:27).
Yesterday we saw that Paul calls us to regard our heavenly citizenship in Christ as our first and highest allegiance. This isn’t to say that our earthly citizenship is meaningless but that we must hold it in submission to our eternal King Jesus. The call to live in a manner that reflects and promotes the gospel is a call to order our priorities as members of Christ and to cherish and live by His laws and customs. As we do so, we will be better citizens of the nations of our earthly sojourn (1 Pet. 2:13–17).
But there’s more to examine in this call. Today’s Treasure also rings with orders from the battlefield, as Paul writes that the Philippian believers are to “[stand] firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” The believers living in “Military City, Philippi” would clearly recognize this as a call to arms. Even those who had not served among the Roman legions were familiar with their battlefield tactics. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, the Roman soldiers, with shields held aloft and weapons at the ready, advanced as one man toward their enemy. Wars were won, and the Empire was extended as nation after nation fell before their unified onslaught.
Likewise, Paul knows that unity of faith among the believers in Philippi is crucial not only for the survival of their church but also for the advance of the gospel. There among their pagan neighbors, they are on the front lines of battle and must therefore stand firm in harmony with one another. Without compromising the truth of the gospel in order to appease the cultural values of the worldlings among whom they lived, nor employing the world’s methods, they are to strive side by side for the faith of the gospel.
As Paul reveals in the next verses, he understands the opposition the Philippian church is experiencing because he has (and is still) experienced it himself (1:28–30). He knows that the pressures from outside could easily cause the Christians to turn upon one another or to fearfully isolate themselves in self-protection. This was true then, and it is true now.
Christians today, as then, are called to a life that does not come naturally. By the power of the Spirit, we must together hold steadfastly to the truth of the gospel in the face of opposition from the unbelieving world and persevere in the midst of persecution from our enemies. Yet we can take our stand without fear because the very opposition we face is a clear sign not only of the certain destruction of our enemies but also of our salvation (1:28). And not only is our salvation from God—the gift of faith by which we believe in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8)—but our suffering for His sake is also granted to us as a gift (1:29). Both our faith and our suffering are gracious gifts from our wise and loving God.
If this sounds backward and upside down, remember this was written by a man rejoicing in the freedom of the gospel—from a prison cell. Paul knew suffering, but even more, he knew Christ: the Savior who died to win us life.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Paul has been modeling the boldly humble courage which he now calls the Philippian believers and us to display. Writing from the Roman prison where he is in chains for the defense of the gospel (1:16) and facing possible execution, he nevertheless rejoices that even there, the gospel is advancing. His courage and joy are grounded in his conviction that he belongs to Christ.
That same courage and joy are still available to all who are united to Christ by faith. When the entire world around us is growing more and more hostile toward the followers of Christ, we meet our opponents with the love and humility of the gospel, knowing that in Him our salvation is secure. Meeting persecution with faith is not natural, but then neither is the source of our faith.
I found great encouragement in these words from Jason C. Meyer, and I trust you will too: “Faith and persecution are often a package gift: when the flame of faith shines in a dark place, the darkness will try to douse that faith and snuff it out. God writes a persecution story for his church so that mankind will be pointed back to the greatest story: the death and resurrection of Christ. Persecution is a parable that puts the death and resurrection of Christ on display again and again. Persecutors try to kill the faith of believers like they tried to kill Jesus, but faith rises just like Jesus did. When persecutors try everything in their power to kill faith, but faith refuses to die, resurrection power is on display. Opponents should fear because they are actually fighting God, and they will lose. God’s power preserves our faith. He who began the good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Christ (Phil. 1:6), and nothing in all creation will be able to separate believers from his almighty grip of grace.”[1]
PRAYER
Father, I confess that I don’t understand how suffering can be a gift from You. Help me to trust You even still and to face the opposition of the world with humility and grace. Cause Your Church to stand firm, unified in Your Spirit, against the onslaughts of the enemy, and give us the courage to hold out Your life-giving gospel to the lost and dying world around us. Send forth Your truth through us, I pray, in the mighty name of Christ, Amen.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Barbaranne Kelly and her husband Jim are the parents of five of the neatest people they know, and now Barbaranne is the Grandmommy to THREE grand boys! In October that will change to FOUR! Barbaranne and Jim are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in New Braunfels, Texas, where she leads a Bible study for women in the hope that she and they may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge Enjoy and be inspired by more of Barbaranne’s writing at her blog.
[1] Jason C. Meyer, Philippians, ESV Expository Commentary, Vol. XI (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 147.
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Originally published Saturday, 06 May 2023.
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