"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 have it so easy. I work with an entire staff of believers, I grew up in a Bible believing home where we went to church every Sunday, and basically all my friends are believers. I live my life in the context of a comfortable bubble and it's not often I have to face the harder side of life.
Easy isn't good, though, is it? I read Acts and find no one there like me. I read about believers who daily entrust their lives to God as they share the gospel with those around them. Their lives are on the line day in and day out. Persecution is normal. Their passion is real nonetheless because they completely understand what they were saved from and what they're saved to. Today throughout most of the world persecution is normal still.
The idols of comfort and people's high regard are poisonous to my walk with Christ. I just want my life to fit in with those who understood what it means to live their lives worthy of the gospel of Christ. I want to seek out Christ, not comfort. I want to seek my Heavenly Father's praise, not that of men. I want these desires to work themselves out in my actions. I want the walk and the talk to be undeniably directed by the Holy Spirit.
God increase my view of you and my love for your Word. The outpouring of this will be a life that is worthy of your gospel.
