AN UNCONQUERABLE SPIRIT

 

A few centuries before Christ, Alexander the Great conquered almost all of the known world with his military strength, cleverness, and diplomacy. One day, Alexander and a small company of soldiers approached a strongly defended, walled city. Alexander, standing outside the walls, raised his voice, demanding to see the king. The king, approaching the battlements above the invading army, agreed to hear Alexander’s demands.

"Surrender to me immediately," commanded Alexander. The king laughed. "Why should I surrender to you?" he called down. "We have you far outnumbered. You are no threat to us!"Alexander was ready to answer the challenge. "Allow me to demonstrate why you should surrender," he replied. Alexander ordered his men to line up single file and start marching. He marched them straight toward a sheer cliff that dropped hundreds of feet to rocks below.

The king and his soldiers watched in shocked disbelief as, one by one, Alexander’s soldiers marched without hesitation right off the cliff to their deaths. After ten soldiers had died, Alexander ordered the rest of his men to stop and to return to his side. The king and his soldiers surrendered on the spot to Alexander the Great.

Paul loved the Philippi Christians; he was so intent on their salvation, that he counted not even his life dear to him, if only he might be instrumental to their eternal welfare. In a letter that he wrote in prison at Rome, he had a request to make to them: and what was it? Did he desire that they would endeavor to liberate him from his chains? No; that was not important to him, whether he lived or died he would gain either way.

Paul requested them to live like citizens of heaven, shining as stars in this dark world. He urged them to live worthy of the gospel and to adorn the gospel in every way to make it attractive to the watching world. He asked every one of them to stand firm in faith and Christ-like character and not to budge from there no matter what. Paul urged the church to unite and contend for the faith as if they were one man, totally committed to one goal.

In Philippians 1:28, Paul tells the Philippians to stand strong for the Lord against external conflicts. He tells them to be bold “Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you”. The word “frightened” was used of a startled horse rearing in fright. The word described how a timid horse would get startled by something unexpected or unknown in its path. Paul is saying they are not to be startled or terrified by oppositions like a horse shying in battle.

Paul does not want opposition to catch the Philippians by surprise; instead they should expect it and be ready for it. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Discipleship demands sacrifice and Jesus never hid that cost. Trouble would be part of their lives.

Paul told the Thessalonians’ believers that “no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them... we kept telling you that we would be persecuted” (1 Thess.3: 2-5). Peter wrote that “do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ … those who suffer according to God’s will...” (1 Peter 4:12-14, 19).

The Bible is clear that Christian life is warfare. God has not saved us so that we can live comfortably and happily ever after. That will happen in the “sweet by and by”, not in the “unpleasant now and now”. When are live worthy of the gospel in this life we shall have enemies. We shall annoy the world because we stand as a rebuke to everything the world stands for. By our lives and words we oppose sin and challenge the illicit ways of the world.  

Once we become believers we are also enrolled into Christ’s army and sent out to take the message of His salvation into enemy territory. The army’s commission is “go make disciples of all nations” (Matt28:16-20). The people we are sent to rescue are in the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Tim. 2:26). We shall rescues some as we would snatch someone from fire (Jude 1:23).

The devil is strong and he will fight back. Jesus asked “How can anyone enter a strong mans house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house” (Matt 12:29). He warned that no one can enter a strong mans house and spoil his goods.  When a strong man fully armed guards his house his possessions are safe. (Luke 11:21-22).

Christians are set down in the world, like border guards, to conquer more ground for their King and to expand his kingdom on earth. That service is greatly needed today when a wave of unbelief seems to be passing over the society, when material comfort and worldly prosperity are so dazzlingly attractive to so many. The soldier must not get entangled in civilians affairs but rather try to please his commanding officer (2 Tim.2:4)

As in every war our mission requires combat and struggle.  In the battle field we expect to see alert soldiers in combat gears, carrying their weapons at all times. If recruits are promised only a good life to entice them to join the army, they will not last in the army. When the bullets start flying and bombs start dropping everywhere, the recruits turn and run, thinking, “I didn’t sign up for this!”I signed up for the benefits!”

Today churches are promoting the Christian life for all its benefits; they are mostly silent on the cost involved.  Many people sign up, thinking about enjoying a good life in Jesus. Instead of viewing ourselves as God’s army we focus on the benefits that come from being Christians. If we forget our mission and get caught up with our own comfort, we will desert the cause when the enemy attacks.

Paul told the Philippians not to be frightened in any way by those who oppose them. When (not if) trouble comes, we need calm courage and an unconquerable spirit. The Lord’s army should not fight as if it expects to be beaten, always casting our eyes over our shoulders, even while we are advancing, to make sure of our retreat. We must show courage in the presence of our enemies; courage that is based upon a sure hope.  

Paul said that boldness is “a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved and that by God”. Everywhere we go we carry an aroma that brings death those who are perishing (2 Cor. 2:14-16). Unbelievers are confronted with their unbelief and their impending judgment if they don’t believe. On the other hand God assures the believers that they will be saved. The Lord keeps all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy (Ps. 145:20).

Persecution is a sign that the salvation you have experienced is real. If no one ever ridicules or opposes you because of your faith, something is wrong with your faith. All who desire to live a godly life in Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12). To suffer grief in all kinds of trials is proof of the genuineness of your faith (1 Peter 1:6-7). Jesus said “if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20).  Persecution is evidence that you belong to Him.

Our ability to respond supernaturally to conflicts is unmistakable evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, Gods seal on us (Eph 1:13). This is an assurance that we belong to him. Someday God will vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked (Ps 1:5, 6). The Lord will rescue the godly and keep the unrighteous for the day of judgment (2 Peter 2:9). Their destruction will be accompanied by everlasting torment (Matt 13: 42, 50).  

Paul said “you will be saved and that by God”. Salvation here stands for deliverance of every kind; not only the salvation which finally lands us in heaven, but all the minor rescues of the way; these are all to be ascribed unto the Lord and to Him alone. It’s by grace we have been saved, through faith and it’s not from ourselves, it is a gift (Eph.2:8). After salvation it’s God who works in us both to will and to do his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).

We should not envy the wicked; they prosper only for a season (Ps 73). They sprout up and flourish, only that they might be destroyed forever (Ps. 92:7). Many of the pagans in Philippi probably looked at the small band of Christians and thought, they were winning. From the surface, the Church may have looked like a small, weak, pathetic band of people but the gospel spread throughout the world. We need to remember that our opponents won’t win. God will have the last word.

When the storm beats in your face and every effort is made to dislodge you, hold your ground without flinching. Those who are steadfast in their loyalty to God and who faithfully hold the post assigned to them, leave the deepest impression on their contemporaries. In Christ we have a mighty motive, powerful enough to overcome all forces that would draw us away from him.  A combination of godly principles and great courage is the secret of a noble and calm life that is so beautifully exemplified in the life of a Christian.