Philippians 1:27-30 (NRSV) 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.
God has graciously permitted you the privilege of believing – and suffering. Now isn’t that a nice way to sketch out what is involved in being a Christian. Once burned – twice sure! Right? A warning like that is sure to keep us away from that religion.
Paul recognizes that the world wants nothing to do with sin, suffering, sacrifice. But the world does not call the shots. Paul knows from his prison cell that this must be some mighty power at work; so many are trying to stop it. The power of God, of salvation, of forgiveness from the empty promise of happiness we are all born into gives us all salvation by the ultimate sacrifice of Christ dying and rising. His is the real suffering – for you, for me, forsaken so we will never be. It is worth it, for all eternity, for our God to save us from His own wrath.
We shut our ears either to God or to the world. Paul was willing to give up everything for being made worthy by God almighty – as a gift. I pray with all my heart that all of our members will take up the task of encouraging each other to be faithful and joyful in worship and examination during this Lenten season, not as suffering but as strengthening.
Paul calls us to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, not worthy of the lies of the world. He delivers us from suffering His wrath. He strengthens us to be proud of who we are as His beloved children. Teach and invite and bring your children and grandchildren to worship and Bible study. Encourage and invite fellow members. Call someone you have not seen in some time and invite them to Transfiguration Sunday and Ash Wednesday early this month. May all of our members proudly (pro)claim Christ as Savior. Enjoy the privilege of being a believer! Yearn that others will believe through you.
Pastor Thomas Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord!
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XV, Number 8, March 2014)