There are some verses in the Bible that you just don’t highlight too often. Like the one about loving your enemies (Matt 5:43-44). Maybe the one about selling everything and giving it to the poor (Mark 10:21). And the ones following the beatitudes that warn the rich, full, laughing, and well thought of (Luke 6:24-26). Or the one telling you that you will be hated because of Jesus (John 15:18-20). Oh Jesus – you say some difficult things that I sometimes just do not want to hear.
But, Jesus isn’t the only one with some hard teachings. Have you read the NIV version of Philippians 1:27 lately? “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Seriously Paul? Whatever happens? WhatEVER happens? WHATEVER happens – I am supposed to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?!
So, when somebody cuts you off on the highway and almost causes a wreck – we conduct ourselves in a worthy manner? Or, when the budget that was so carefully planned gets thrown to the wind because of someone else’s mistake – we conduct ourselves in a worthy manner? Really? It’s that simple Paul?
What about when your five year old tells you that someone comes over to your home to spend time with your spouse in the bedroom while you’re gone? We just “conduct ourselves” in a worthy manner? Maybe our career just ended against our will and we’ve just spent all of our savings because of a legitimate healthcare emergency – what was that you expected of us? Oh yeah – that we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Seriously?
What about when you get the call that your parent has suddenly died and you never had a chance to say goodbye – we simply “conduct” ourselves? Or, what about the lady who gave herself to Jesus a week ago, and then she suddenly comes to the realization that she ended the life of her own children before they were born? Is she expected to merely conduct herself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? Really Paul?
No – Jesus wasn’t the only one with some difficult instructions. I honestly don’t know how to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. What am I truly “worthy of” anyway? I’ll tell you what I’m worthy of – Hell – that’s what I’m worthy of! That’s what I deserve – because I’m a sinner and I’ve disappointed God more times than I can fathom.
But thanks to the mercy and grace of our Lord – I suddenly find myself as a representative of Jesus himself. What a task. What an unobtainable and huge undertaking! I am supposed to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ – no matter what happens.
Paul ends this train of thought with these encouraging words (Philippians 1:27-29): “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.”
Conduct on my friends – conduct on. In the name of Jesus – conduct on.