“Jesus welcomes all of us to come to Him as we are. He meets us where we are but refuses to leave us stuck in our issues. The new life He offers begins with a lifelong journey to transform us into His likeness. We trust that God will speak to people and change their thinking and their lives from the inside out.”- Chip Ingram
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so whether I come and see you or am about, 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 (ESV)
Chip Ingram continues Chapter 7 of I Choose Joy with the second specific thing the apostle Paul wants to hear that indicates whether the lives of the believers at Philippi consistently align with God’s will.
2. Don’t give up. When Paul tells the believers in Philippi to strive together with one mind, he wants them to advance, to contend for the faith without giving in. Hence, verse 27 talks about laboring, struggling, and advancing together. Literally as ‘one soul.’ As one body with many parts.
Above all, Chip stresses, this is not about a private faith. In individualistic cultures, we turn faith into a personal issue — to each his own. Consequently, even if we meet together once a week, we live that faith out privately.
In conclusion, Pastor Ingram exhorts, in our contacts with nonbelievers we need to bring light, not heat. Therefore, we need to witness to them in a manner worthy of the gospel. Furthermore, Chip states:
“Deep down, most people know they need change, and Christians who invitingly, lovingly approach life as a transformative, disciple-making process have an impact on their culture. They may take a lot of hits from the opposition, but they also open some hearts to the truth. . . .
Paul urges us not to give in — to know the truth and stake our lives on it. God is calling us to do the same, to stick together single-mindedly — as one.”
Today’s question: What does it mean to you that God refuses to leave us stuck in our issues? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Live like Christians boldly”