Unite

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27)

I was a junior at The Kent State University when I started to clumsily follow Jesus. For much of the few first years I did this on my own. I wanted to connect to others around me but I ran into a few problems. First, I am naturally more of a loner. I like sitting and thinking solo within limits. This has changed through the years but if I am not careful, I will withdraw inward. Second, the culture of any church is one of familiar relationships. We hangout with those we know and take few relational risks.

Yet, this isn’t how things should be

I love how Paul talks about the overachieving Philippian church. Bragging on them and lifting them up as a model for future generations, we would benefit from taking note. Just like how Christ was the perfect mix between social and inward, this church was unified in a vision to see something different in the world. There is a sense of team here. We rather fail together than succeed alone.

How can we act “worthy” of the Gospel?

First, where are we going? As a church and as a saint, do we have a direction? Following Christ is kinetic, and if we are standing still, we are really going backwards.

Second, who are we taking with us? There are people outside of our circle who can greatly contribute to our lives and church. We have to be willing to connect with those around us, challenge them, let them challenge us, and help them to reach their God-given potential.

Third, where is Christ? What made the Philippian church so united was their vision of Christ. They knew He was working, and spent their lives identifying His movement. There are plenty of “successful” churches where Christ is absent. Sometimes spiritual success looks like worldly failure. Embrace this.