Standing Fast Against All Opposition
“Only let your conversation (lifestyle) be as it becomes the Gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be 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; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of Salvation, and that of God” (Philippians 1:27,28).
The Apostle Paul is encouraging the church to walk out their lives in a manner worthy of the Lord they represent. We are the Lord’s representatives here on Earth to bring witness to the Gospel. We are to stand with fellow Believers in one spirit. This means that our faith is to be anchored and not moved – in Christ and Him crucified. This Gospel is the one and only Salvation for mankind. Those we run across in our daily lives should know that we are the people of God, and it is in Him we trust.
At times, we will experience opposition to this Gospel from unbelievers, and even from within the church. The Apostle Paul here warns about this and encourages the church at Philippi to not be terrified by these adversaries. We live in different times, but the opposition to the Gospel we preach is just as real. Regarding the opposition that comes from within the church, Paul spoke to the Galatians about that in the following verse:
“But though we or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
Very strong words from Paul regarding our keeping to the Gospel that brought us Salvation. He said that those that preach another gospel are accursed. These individuals, whoever they might be, are in danger of eternal punishment out of the presence of God. Our modern day church should take Paul’s warn against false Gospels seriously by making sure our faith is in Christ and His sacrificial death at Calvary. We are to anchor our faith there and not move it to other things after we come to Salvation. Looking around today, I’m afraid there are many in the church playing with fire.
Though I believe Paul, in our introductory verses, is talking about the false Gospels prevalent in the church at the time, we will also have opposition from those outside the church. As we live our lives as we should, it is a witness to them of their need. We may run across great opposition in our world today considering the amount of division there is in our nation and world. This being the norm, we, by standing firm and walking in obedience to the Lord, will be a witness to all those we meet in our daily life of the goodness the Lord has for all those who chose to walk in His ways. We need not fear though the opposition at times may be quite strong. Paul said it well in the following verse:
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Those that oppose the Gospel, whether in the church, or without, are being given a warning regarding the dangerous ground they stand on. This warning comes by the church triumphant that marches through this life victorious in Christ. We are His ambassadors. We are the Body of Christ here in this world. We must let those living today know that the Lord stands ready to forgive and redeem all those who come His way. Our witness is an evident token of perdition, or an evident truth, that they are opposing the very Gospel that would save them. We pray our witness to them will lead them to a saving knowledge of the Lord. It is the Lord’s desire that all men be saved.
I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior Who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1,3,4).
Always Remember,
God Loves You!
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