The gospel is the power source for salvation and what we need to navigate life’s difficulties. If you remember the movie, Saving Private Ryan, in the final scene, Tom Hanks had been mortally wounded in a battle scene when he walks over to Matt Damon and says, “Earn It”. He was saying, don’t waste your life unappreciative of this sacrifice that has been made for you. I believe that’s what Paul is saying to the Philippian church in this text:
Philippians 1:27 – 29
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 about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
The gospel is worthy of a life lived in an appreciation that others can see. Conducting yourself in a worthy manner was a phrase used when talking about citizenship. Citizens were expected to discharge their duties in a worthy manner. We are citizens in heaven, so we’re expected to conduct ourselves in a certain way.
Paul saw the good work that was being done in the Philippians through the gospel. They were expected to bring that work to completion through the demonstration of spiritual maturity. Paul is commanding us to live ourselves in such a way that is worthy of the gospel that we believe. So the question is – what does that look like practically?
Follow the example of Jesus Christ.
The best way to understand the life of Jesus is to read the Bible and try to emulate the steps of Christ. We learn about Christ from others, yet we should know and understand the life of Jesus for ourselves. We can also use earthly examples of Christians in our churches and communities.
How you live at home is a great indication of who you really are. When you go to work or school, remember that you are an ambassador of Christ. You’re even an ambassador of Christ online and you’re called to represent Christ everywhere you GO. Conduct yourself in a way that you won’t bring shame to the gospel and to the name of Jesus.
The sacrifice was already given through the blood of Jesus, so there’s no way we can earn his sacrifice. However, we can live every moment of our lives in appreciation to God’s sacrifice.
Don’t live out of guilt and obligation.
The danger of living out of guilt and obligation is that we impress that guilt on others. This isn’t helping anyone because people are already drowning in sin. If your conduct should come from an overflow of gratitude, it’s coming from the wrong place. You will always miss the mark if you’re approaching it from a place of guilt. Guilt is a terrible power source that will always run dry. Your conduct must always be centered in humility because this is how Jesus lived.
This is a total paradigm shift. If you try to live a moral life out of obligation and guilt, reading the Bible and praying out of guilt, it will be tough because you can never live up to an unrealistic standard. When we project this standard on others, out of legalism and moralism, we become hypocrites.
We must begin to see the gospel from the lens of appreciation. I began to see my life as worthy to be sacrificed for his glory. Gospel appreciation is the fuel source that will never run dry and is always available to you. When I’m living in spiritual health, I can work hard and live out of appreciation and love for the sacrifice of Jesus.
“Grace is not opposed to effort, but opposed to earning” – Dallas Willard
Results of a Life Well Lived for Christ
- Steadfastness
- Unity
- Courage (Under Fire)
Steadfastness means to not waver in battle but stand firm in your commitment to the mission. The enemy may come hard against you, but you cannot back down. Press forward in gospel appreciation and gospel proclamation. You must see the gospel as worthy to share. You must see the gospel as worthy to stand firm in, no matter the odds.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Remember who your enemy is. The disciples shared the truth of the gospel in love. Jesus didn’t come to overthrow an empire, but He came to destroy sin and death.
Unity
Paul also wanted to see unity. Unity requires teamwork. We must work together. Every athletic team works together because they see the common goal as worth it. Individuality doesn’t work in a military force. Your job only works when you are submitted to the larger mission. Teamwork matters in wartime. Soldiers must work together to achieve the mission. The focus should be on fighting the enemy and not one another. We have one mission, but we all have an individual role.
We use gospel living and gospel proclamation to wage war. For decades, this church has been focusing on serving the mission and focusing on God’s Word. The gospel and His Word never change. The truth never changes but how we get that truth to the world is always changing.
Courage
A life worthy of the gospel should also create courage in the congregation. You will never win a battle that you’re afraid to fight. The enemy will turn other humans against you to oppose you. Don’t be afraid. You may want to fight back the same way they fight you. You’ll want to use the same cruelty, but you are held to a higher standard. The Bible calls us to be meek like Christ. Jesus kept his power under control and under submission to the glory and will of God.
Be courageous even when others are against you. Conducting yourself in a manner that’s worthy of the gospel removes opposition because it reveals the gospel to those who are attacking you. You reveal that you have this gift through humility.
There are two gifts available to you when you live a life worthy of the gospel. Today, you can receive a gift of faith and a gift of suffering. You can receive a gift of faith. Suffering is also a gift because God doesn’t waste suffering but uses it for His glory. Following Christ is a path to self-denial. The call to Christ follows the journey of Christ and leads to a cross of suffering so that God can be glorified. Suffering draws us to the Savior in a way that nothing else can.
Pray that you seek to conduct yourself in a manner that is worthy of the gospel. This is our opportunity to go into the world and “Earn It”.
