As It Becometh The Gospel

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” (Philippians 1:27-30)

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ”. This is one of the more misunderstood passages due to the transliterated word, “conversation”. The word has nothing to do with talking or conversing. “Conversation” is referring to our state of being, how we are as well as who we are.

Paul is telling us that our manner of life and our character should be that, “as it becometh the gospel of Christ”. But the confusion of the word definition brings up an interesting point. There are plenty of folks that talk like a Christian, but far fewer that live, move, breathe and have their being as a Christian.

Also notice how Paul hopes that who the Philippians are and how they act should not change depending on whether or not Paul is there. How about us? Do we change and become all “Christiany” when the Pastor comes around? Are we all the more religious when we are around fellow Christians?  No matter where we are and no matter who we are with, we should always, “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”.

One spirit. One mind. Working together. In faith of one gospel. One Holy Ghost. One Jesus. One God. One scripture. Any, and I can’t stress this enough, ANY deviation from this oneness is sin. There is no other Christ. There is no other scripture. There is no other religion. There is one God.

Standing fast in this truth will be a “token of perdition” to the non-Christian. What does this mean? It means that your faith in Christ and our religion are a sign of destruction to the non-believer. It means your acts of Christianity are a manifestation of ruination to the adversaries.

Paul tells the Christians of Philippi not to be “terrified by your adversaries”. Why? Because Jesus and the gospels are, “salvation, and that of God”. Hold on fast to those words and never forget them! Our salvation is by God through Christ. The knee of every adversary will bow to that.

But understand this, although we have this truth and we have an adversary that is terrified of this truth, we still will have “conflict”. Satan (which means “adversary”) has lost, but contrary to popular belief, has not accepted that fact. He is outraged and is creating as much damage as he supernaturally can along the way.

God infuriates the devil. We are made in the image of God. So who do you think the devil is going to take his anger out on?

Paul chooses an interesting word for conflict. He uses the Greek word, “Agon” which means “struggle”. It is a reference to the struggle athletes have during competition. It was very typical of Paul to put things in sports or military terms.

We are to “suffer” for the sake of Christ, “Having the same conflict which ye saw in me”.

Staying true to Jesus Christ and His gospels will cause the adversary to react. These things are death and destruction to him. Conflict will arise as a result. Truth will be attacked by the adversary. But just remember what Jesus said.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Bill Hitchcock