June 21, 2026
Walking in a Worthy Manner
Every now and then, we may have to take a leave of absence from some task or obligation we are responsible for. A business owner may have to deal with family matters, pulling him away from work. Parents may have to be away from home and leave the house with a teenage child. A schoolteacher may have to take a day off work to recover from sickness, with a substitute taking their place. This is the flow of life; we are called away from the things that often occupy our time.
However, if we must be absent from our obligations and give someone else the responsibility to manage them for some time, we do expect things to remain the same upon our return. A business owner expects the manager to operate the business and continue to make a profit. Parents expect the older child or babysitter not to destroy the home in their absence. And a teacher expects their students to behave with the substitute teachers and fulfill their workload. In our absence, we still expect things to go on, not to stop or come to a halt because we are not present.
Apostle Paul had this same feeling when he wrote to the Philippian brethren. As with many of the congregations he writes to, there is a desire within Paul to be among these brothers and sisters in Christ. But because of circumstances beyond his control, he cannot be present. Nonetheless, his expectations for the congregation don’t change simply because he is not present. In the opening chapter, he states what he desires from them. He writes, “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” (Phil. 1:27 ESV).
Paul doesn’t tell these brethren that his expectation is like a business aspiration. He doesn’t give them a required quota to fulfill, such as a percentage increase in conversions, a specific increase in contributions, or a reduction in dropouts from that congregation. Sure, Paul is concerned about the gospel reaching as many people as possible, but notice what he desires from the brethren. He wants them to walk in a way that is worthy or suitable to the gospel they obeyed. What does that include?
Paul sets forth three things in the texts. First, he desires that they stand firm. In the next few verses, Paul will go on to talk further about this virtue. But like his situation, he is aware that Christians will face a variety of oppositions and adversaries for the cause, so they need to stand firm and be bold in the faith. Next, Paul desires that this standing not be done alone but with the entire church in “one spirit” and “one mind.” One theologian and Bible teacher says this regarding these two terms: “The first is, that we have like views; the second, that we be united in heart” (Calvin’s Complete Commentary). This is a radical unity that Paul desires from the congregation, one that connects them on a very deep level. Finally, Paul says that this unity of standing together must be done with the aim “for the faith of the gospel.” That is the cause and mission of the church: to advance the saving message of Jesus.
Therefore, even though Paul is away from the church, he still wishes for them to act as a church that glorifies God. But what about our part? Are we contributing to the body of believers by standing firm against the opposition? Do we contribute to the church's oneness by standing firm? And are we focused on the mission of declaring the gospel? Let us individually seek these goals in our lives and encourage those around us to live lives worthy of the gospel we have been called to.
- Christian Joyner
Past Articles
Rejoicing in the Preaching of the Gospel 6/7/2026
Encouraging Boldness 5/31/2026
The Gospel In Unfavorable Circumstances 5/24/2026
Goodness From Knowledge 5/17/2026
God's Finished Work 5/10/2026
Our Identity 4/26/2026