Kingdom dynamics

The Concept of Heavenly Citizenship VI

Abreham G.

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 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. (emphasis mine)

In part IV and V of this series I have discussed that discord among God's people is one of the factors that threatens the forward movement of the gospel. The other threatening factor is persecution. Persecution can be understood as a systematic marginalization, harassment, and or destruction of individuals or groups that are considered as the other. Persecution could be political, racial or religious in nature. In the early days of Christianity Christ's disciples (people who follow Christ) were seen as the other and were treated likewise. Yet despite persecution the church of God lived and thrived to this day.

A sketchy reading of New Testament scriptures reveals that suffering for the sake of Christ/ the Gospel is assumed. Paul reminded the Philippians that they were suffering in the manner he was suffering. They were going through hardships because of their allegiance to Christ. And as partners in the gospel, they needed to know that they also shared in Paul's suffering. Of course they were sharing in Christ's suffering.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Pet 4:12-13)

The persecution the believers at Philippi faced was not unique. Other Christian communities were also being persecuted (1 Pet 4:12, 5:9). What they needed was inspiration. Where do they get it from? Ultimately, they would get it from their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who endured the cross for the joy set before him (Heb 12:2). They have Paul at the moment whom they were advised to imitate (Phil 3:17). He was their inspiration. That was why he wrote them about his situation. He remained faithful to the gospel he preached even in such hard times. Whether in death (in the hands of the Romans) or in life (rescued through prayer and God's provision of the Spirit), he was determined to honor Christ in his body (Phil 1:20). This persistence has been for some a source of courage to preach the gospel boldly (Phil 1:14). So too will it be an inspiration for believers at Philippi.

Going back to the times when the gospel was introduced to the Philippians for the first time, Paul and Silas were severely beaten and thrown to prison without trial. Both were Roman citizens (Acts 16:37-38). They had the right to a fair trial. Yet they let the authorities mistreat them. I do not know why. But it surely reminds me of Christ, who willingly gave up his rights and privileges as God, to partner with lost humanity and suffer on our behalf. Indeed his pains brought for us peace.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (Isa 53:4-5)

Suffering is not desirable. But what if that is our fate? What if our faithfulness to Christ and his gospel meant persecution? Will we abandon our commitment to Christ and the gospel? What if Jesus compromised in the face of death? We would not be talking about the gospel or salvation.

Paul's word of advise for Christians facing persecution is to accept it and remain faithful to the gospel. He encouraged the Philippian believers to continue holding tight to the word of life among the unbelieving community of Philippi. That was what Paul was doing in Rome, and that is what he encouraged the Philippians to do in their own city. And that is what God expects us to do in our communities so that the gospel may continue to move forward until the glorious appearance of Christ.

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. (2 Tim 1:8)

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 2:3)

May your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Amen 

Kingdom dynamics

The Concept of Heavenly Citizenship V

Abreham G

1:27 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. 

Paul has not cataloged the kind of conducts that are worthy of the gospel of Christ. They are not presented as a list of dos and don'ts. They are presented as a paradigm woven through the entire epistle. By the time we have finished reading Philippians, we come into contact with Paul's mind. That was why I pointed out in part III of this article, that the patterns are set in the thoughts and actions of the ministers (Paul and his company) who proclaimed the kingdom of God. Imitating them in all aspect gives us the perspective of what it means to be a heavenly citizen.

Here however, I would like to limit the discussion to chapters 1 and 2. I explained in part IV that Paul's command was given to the community as a whole, and that individual efforts are rewarded on condition that they are executed in the context and for the benefit of the community. We are called to strive as a team¹. The kind of unity Paul believed to be achieved through the gospel and for the sake of its progress was rightly reflected in his choice of words. Sunathleo, striving together as a team, isopsuke, like mindedness (one life in many bodies), are two among many of Paul's terminologies describing the ideal harmony that he believed the faith of the gospel would require.

Thus, whatever the Philippians choose to do for the sake of the gospel had to be done as a community. The call was corporate and so was the duty. No one was left out. All were equally responsible. Whatever they were engaged in, be it preaching the gospel, or standing firm in the face of persecution, or partnering with Paul in financial support, or having fellowship with one another on the basis of their common faith, the proper perspective was that they were to do it as a team that has one life, one heart, one mind, and one goal.

Is that really a possibility? Can there be such a strong bond among believers and minister of the gospel? If so why do we witness so much division among churches? Why is Protestant version of Christianity tainted with divisiveness, disharmony, disunity, and dismemberment? Was Paul naive to suggest the possibility of one mindedness (one lifedness) in light of the selfishness that is ingrained in our very nature?

A BIG NO. Not at all! Paul knows the fallen man more than we might assume. BUT he is a believer. A believer, not on the good angel myth of humanity, but on the power of the gospel. He believes that all that is bad, selfish, and wicked about humanity is redeemable. He believes that Christianity is about redemption, not only of the coming judgment but also of the evil in us. He believes that the gospel has enough power to redeem fallen humanity and thereby usher new creation. He believes the gospel has the mechanism to bring divided humanity in to one heartedness, one mindedness, and one lifedness. I hope we do not fail him.

For this purpose he set the self-emptying and sacrificial obedience of Jesus Christ as a model of fellowship (2:1-14).² Christ's exaltation was preceded by humiliation, and his resurrection followed the crucifixion. If we fail to imitate this Christ, we have missed a great deal in our spiritual formation. I know this model is a clear breakaway from the popular culture, then and now. For a moment, imagine Rome and its Caesars, a power thirsty gang who would do anything to maintain power and influence. For them humility is out of the question. It is a sign of weakness. On the other hand power meant success. To have their way, they would cheat, manipulate, kill or destroy anyone even their own siblings. Their vision of reality is the only one that matters. Yet Paul is presenting a paradigm that is counter culture and Christ centered. It has one characteristic feature - HUMILITY.            

Striving together as a team demands genuine humility. That is what Jesus displayed, and that is what God wants to see among his people. If our churches and communities are filled with Christian leaders who adopt “My Way or No Way” leadership, there will be less room for harmony. 

The "mind" mentioned in [Phil 2] v. 5 is not simply knowledge of a private characteristic; it is rather the "mindset" of how one sees oneself, one's brothers and sisters, the world, and God. Put simply, one's view of reality necessarily affects behavior and relationships. . . . He urged them to have the "same mind" among themselves, which means, among other things, having mutual love, not acting out of competition or envy, and humbling oneself (w. 2a-4). . . . Paul is certainly presenting Jesus as the paradigm for the church's life.³

So my answer is, YES! Paul's vision of unity among Christian leaders and communities is possible, if we adopt Christ's Way.

Are you cheerful because you belong to Christ? Does his love comfort you? Is the Holy Spirit your companion? Has Christ been gentle and loving toward you? Then make my joy complete by agreeing with each other. Have the same love. Be one in spirit and purpose. Don't do anything only to get ahead. Don't do it because you are proud. Instead, be free of pride. Think of others as better than yourselves. None of you should look out for your own good. You should also look out for the good of others. 

You should think in the same way Christ Jesus does. 

In his very nature he was God.

But he did not think that being equal with God was something he should hold on to.

Instead, he made himself nothing. 

He took the very nature of a servant.

He was made in human form.

He appeared as a man.

He came down to the lowest level.

He obeyed God completely, even though it led to his death.

In fact, he died on a cross.

So God lifted him up to the highest place.

He gave him the name that is above every name.

When the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone's knee will bow to worship him. Every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow to worship him. 11 Everyone's mouth will say that Jesus Christ is Lord.

And God the Father will receive the glory. 

Phil 2:1-10

1Striving together (sunathlountes) is a language that describes a team of athletes working together for a common goal. It is derived from a verb sun-athleo, to work or strive as a team of athletes. Paul used similar language (sun-ethlesan) to describe his ministry with Euodia and Syntyche (4:2-3). Interestingly, Euodia and Syntyche were women who are said to have co-labored (sunethlesan) with Paul. This has a far reaching implications concerning women ministry.

2Brian K. Peterson, Philippians 2:5-11. Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology (April 2004) 178-80.

3Ibid 178