“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…”
(Phil 1:27)

This is the only command in the paragraph (1:27-30). Everything else in these verses gives explanation and instruction on how to carry out this command. This is critical as we consider living our lives “on purpose.”

For the rest of this week we will consider how to focus our lives through this purpose. It all starts with the understanding that we must:

1. Show the Difference

All believers share the same purpose…to live in a manner worthy of (consistent with) the gospel. We must show the difference that Christ has made in our lives. God has strategically placed us in our world—that we might fulfill this purpose. We are called to be:

“…children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…” (Phil 2:15)

No matter what our unique gifts or skills, we all share the same purpose—we are called to be living representatives of Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.

As Paul gives this challenge, he uses a term that speaks to our citizenship. Since God has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and placed us in the Kingdom of His dear Son (see Col 1:13), we are now citizens of heaven. As citizens of this new Kingdom, we have certain responsibilities and privileges that go with our citizenship.

The responsibilities can be summed up this way: if the gospel has transformed your life—let it show! Let your life-style demonstrate that Christ has really saved you…let the difference show!