Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 1:27-30.

 

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

 

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”  Philippians 1:27-30.

 

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Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ:  “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”.  There is a precious unity here based on “one spirit”, “one mind”,  “together”.   

 

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,  experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”  There is also a precious unity here based on election.

 

This unity is worthy of the gospel of Christ.  “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6.

 

This unity enlarges faith of the brethern, loves each other, and perseveres together in the midst of persecutions and afflictions.  “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;  therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.”  2 Thessalonians 1:3-4.

 

This unity is not alarmed by opponents “which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God”.  “This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.  For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”  2 Thessalonians 1:5-8.

 

In summary, we live by faith and do not shrink back. 
“BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.                                                                                                                                               But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”  Hebrews 10:38-39.