“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”
Philippians 1:27a
As I contemplated this verse, my heart’s cry went out – May I live my life in a manner worthy of the gospel. Not merely in righteousness. But in Faith.
Faith in the character of my God. His goodness, His grace, His wisdom, His mercy. His steadfast, unchangeable love.
Faith in my relationship with Him. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). “[God the Father] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13). “But now thus says the LORD…’Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1)
Faith in His power, working in and through and for us. “And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20). “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name” (Isaiah 45:2-3).
As I walk through my days, may my life reflect who my God is. He is holy, yes, and I am called to be holy as He is – displaying love in my obedience, trusting that He is wise, His commands are good, sin and selfishness and pride are destructive, and He will strengthen me to walk a righteous (but not self-righteous) path. But the reflection of who He is shines through more than doing good things. It is displayed in our believing Him when we can’t see what He’s doing. It is tested as we face fears and unknowns – in these moments, what does our life show? Is our reaction worthy of the gospel of Christ, of what the gospel declares about our God?
O, may our lives show faith. As we wrestle with fear and faith, may we come out on the other side walking in a manner worthy of who our God is and the beautiful, powerful gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has made peace by the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20) and who calls us to abide in His love that our joy may be full and our lives be abundant (John 15:10-11; 10:10).
Our God is good. He is mighty. None can stand against Him. And He is for us. So whatever you face, let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Though you may be facing intense fire and water and difficulty, He is with you and will not fail (Isaiah 43:2). What the enemy intends for destruction, our God has purposed for good, that many will see and be saved (Genesis 50:19). May we find our unfailing hope and joy in this truth.
In Pleasant Places 