27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. (NKJV)
these verses are telling the church in Phillipi how they should conduct themselves. Basically the whole “character is who you are when no one is watching” thing. Paul challenges them to always conduct themselves in a way that is “worthy of the gospel of Christ” so whether he is there to oversee them or not, he will still hear of the good attitudes they have. He also mentions unity- “standing fast in ONE spirit, with ONE mind striving TOGETHER for the faith of the gospel.” and yeah Paul may be talking to the church in Philippi in this matter but we are to use this example in our congregations today!! we should always be in unity with another, always pushing for the SAME goal, which is bringing others to Christ.
In verse 29, it says “...not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” How can we believe in Christ and conduct ourselves in a Christ-like way without persecution? not everyone will like us if we are a follower of Christ!! not everyone is SUPPOSED to like us if we are a follower of Christ!!
how can our conduct be worthy of the gospel? only when we strive to please and obey God as our number one priority!!