Worthy Of The Gospel Of Christ

September 12

Isaiah 11-13

Psalm 104:1-9

Proverbs 22:17-21

Philippians 1:21-30

Worthy Of The Gospel Of Christ

“Only live your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind contending together for the faith of the gospel.” 

Philippians 1:27 LSB

I went to a funeral today of a father of a friend in my Sunday School class.  He was a godly man who was loved by many and left a legacy of faith and family.  He was the Daddy of four daughters.  They each spoke at the funeral recounting what their father meant to them and the things he had taught them. One of the things that stood out to me was that a couple of them said that he often told them, “Remember who you are and who you represent.”  One of the girls said that when she began dating her Daddy didn’t give her a long list of rules, curfew times, etc.  He told her, “Go have a great time, but don’t ever forget who you are.”  Their Daddy understood the meaning of Paul’s words in this verse.  As Christians, we are children of God.  We bear His name and we represent Him in the world. We have an obligation to remember who we are and who we represent.  Our lives are not our own.  “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own;  you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies.”  I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV 

In everything we do we are to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  If we bear the name of Christian, our actions reflect on Him.  “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Colossians 3:17 LSB  “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 LSB   “So then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through us.”  2 Corinthians 5:20 LSB  An ambassador is one who represents someone else. We are the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and dying world.  What my friend’s dad instilled in his daughters was the idea that our actions matter.  Everything we do and say says something about our character.  One of my youth ministers growing up used to say something that has always stuck with me.  He said, “You are the only Jesus some people will ever see.”  I hope when they see me, they see His love and mercy.  I hope they see peace and joy no matter what circumstances I am facing.  I hope they see integrity and honesty instead of the deception and lies that the world offers.  When I mess up, I pray they see repentance and humility. And I pray they see me standing firm contending together with my brothers and sisters in Christ in the faith of the gospel.