Worthy Of What Jesus Did

Philippians 1:27 – Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…

First, what is the “gospel of Christ”? Jesus, the only Son of God, came to earth as a human, lived a sinless life, and willingly submitted to the most excruciating of deaths and humiliation so that God could declare the penalty of your sin (and mine) had been paid, thus satisfying God’s righteous judgment and providing undeserving mankind with eternal life (for all those who believe and accept what Jesus did on His terms).

After considering that, it is any wonder that our conduct should be worthy of what Jesus did?

What constitutes our “conduct”? Our integrity, honesty, attitude, demeanor, speech, behavior, and choices (to name a few). It is a comprehensive effort: everything about our life its to be WORTHY of what Jesus did for us. This is what makes our willful sin so awful: we CHOOSE to do things that shame or insult the willing sacrifice and suffering that Jesus endured on our behalf. Remember that next time you think “one more time won’t matter” or “God will forgive me.” Yes He will (if you are sincerely repentant) but in the meantime, your conduct is not WORTHY of what Jesus did for you when you choose to sin.  Keep that in mind when temptation knocks again. I will too.

Let’s take a quick look at what Paul expects a “conduct-worthy” life to look like:

v. 27 – Standing fast in one spirit – unity with other Believers in accordance to God’s Word and commands;

v. 27 –  Striving together – working together for common goals, cooperating and serving each other to further God’s purposes;

v. 28 –  Not terrified – being terrified (fear without hope or confidence in God) is “proof” to the world you are not really trusting in God.  NOT being terrified is the opposite: proof that God’s enemies have no power over you and that God will prevail;

v. 29 – Suffer for His sake – we are assured of suffering when we choose Jesus but unlike the suffering of the world because of the sin curse, God promises us comfort, purpose, blessing, and reward for our suffering… and that suffering is TEMPORARY.  Our eternal perspective allows us to endure knowing that any suffering in this life is short term and inconsequential compared to: 1) the reward God is preparing for us, and 2) the suffering Jesus endured on our behalf.

A comprehensive study of our ‘conduct” would fill a library but those are a few points Paul covers in Philippians. We should daily take account of our conduct and life to see that it is WORTHY of what Jesus Christ did for each of us.