Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one 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 in 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. (Philippians 1:26-30)
There is a part of Jesus’ message that we don’t like to hear. Jesus promised his followers that they would receive eternal life by believing in him. That’s the good part! But Jesus also promised his followers that if they believed in him, they would suffer for him. They would have to carry their “crosses,” just like Jesus died on the cross for us.
I don’t like to hear that. Do you? If I believe in Jesus, shouldn’t life be joyful and happy? If I follow Jesus’ Word, shouldn’t things go well for me? I’ll happily take the eternal life, but not the cross. “Jesus, I’ll stick with the faith part, but not the suffering part.”
That’s not the gospel. To remove the cross from Jesus’ life is to remove the heart of the gospel message: Jesus died to save us! There’s no “good news” without the cross. Not for Jesus. Not for us. God’s grace shines brightest in suffering. For the Christian, it’s to believe AND to suffer.
But you never suffer alone. The Holy Spirit who put faith in your heart strengthens you to stand firm when others oppose you. Your fellow Christians, from the apostle Paul long ago to your brothers and sisters in Christ at your church, are going through the same struggles. Don’t be frightened! Don’t give up.
Instead, “whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ….For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” For the Christian, just as it was for Christ who died for us, it’s to believe AND to suffer.
Dear Jesus, my heart quakes at the thought of suffering and opposition. You who died for me, send your Spirit to strengthen me, not only to believe in you, but also to suffer for you to your glory. Amen.
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