The Struggle is Real when the Change is Real

Ruins from Philippi. 

Scripture

Phil. 1:27   Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. ²⁹ For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— ³⁰ since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Observation

The on-going concern for Paul is the embodiment of Christian living. By having the mind of Christ, the entire Christian community in Philippi can work, shoulder-to-shoulder for the sake of the gospel. This united front will help them when they face those who are trying to sabotage their work. He places before them the reality of the struggle, for to live for Christ in this Roman colony is to live entirely counter to the culture. Paul has had this struggle, and if they live in Christ, this will be the battle they will face as well. 

Application

Over and over again Paul reminds us that there is a real struggle when it comes to living the Christian life. There are different ways in which this is played out but for the Philippians, for while they are living in a Roman Colony, their heavenly citizenship puts them at odds with the Roman rulers. Every day they lived out their faith in ways that made them appear as odd. Business men who refused to buy and sell certain products, or work on particular days, or who would function within the bounds of Christian living were frowned upon. They had to struggle to keep their businesses going because they fully embraced being in Christ, and their conscience wouldn’t allow them to retain business as usual. The struggle was real because the change was real. 

For those who are looking for a Christian walk that is easy and without struggle, following Jesus is not the way to go. Maybe there’s some other gospel out there that can make us feel warm and fuzzy, but this isn’t it. Paul was writing his letter from jail, and that’s why he knew and understood the consequences of following Jesus. He considered it a privilege to suffer for Jesus. 

When Jesus radically transforms our lives, then there is real change. We cannot go on with life they way that we did before. Participation with Christ results in a shared mission to the world. The beauty of this passage is found in the vision of the church striving “side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.” Paul is not writing about or suggesting an individualistic faith, but a partnership among the fellow believers. Just imagine an entire community of fellow-believers, truly changed by the work of the Holy Spirit, linking arms and supporting one-another in the midst of persecution. That’s the call to all God’s children. We are to partner together with a united front in a world that is pushing back against our heavenly citizenship. 

The transformation of the life in Christ is real. The struggle of the Christian life in a secular world is real. God’s children, united in furthering the gospel will encounter resistance, but also power through the presence of the Holy Spirit in a people united in faith and love. 

Prayer

Lord, please help us to face the struggles through the power and presence of your Holy Spirit. Amen.