SHINE LIKE STARS

 

 

Three churches, located on different corners of the same intersection, didn't get along together. One Sunday each of them opened their meeting with a rousing song service. It was a warm day and all the doors and windows were wide open. One congregation began singing the old hymn, "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?" The strains had barely faded away when the congregation across the street started singing, "No, Not One, No, Not One!" They had scarcely finished when the third church began singing, "Oh, That Will Be Glory for Me."

In the opening verses of Paul’s letter to the Philippians church, he tells them that whatever life presented to him, his joy would continue to increase. Whether he lived or died it did not matter to him, he would win either way. Continuing to live meant fruitful labor and to die was gain. In Philippians1: 27 his concern turns to them. They were facing problems and would face more in the future. When trials come will they get doubts and begin to question their faith? Will they give in instead of being steadfast in their faith? Will they turn on each other instead of working with each other?

In verse 27 Paul sets forth the Christian's position in the world. He tells them “only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel”. Even though they lived in Philippi, they were citizens of another kingdom.  Therefore, they could not have a similar attitude to the rest of the citizens of Philippi. They were citizens of heaven; therefore they must behave like citizens of heaven.

By beginning the verse begins with the word “only”, Paul is saying that the one thing that matters most in the Christian life is to live worthy of the gospel of Christ, it’s is the bottom line.  Christians must conduct themselves as citizens of heaven. Paul says, “I want your behavior, as a Christian community in a pagan culture, to be worthy of the gospel that you believe and proclaim.” 

The verse gives a very illuminating picture of the Christian in the world. As citizens of Heaven we should live up to who we are and not conform to the patterns of this world (Rom.12:2). This command is in the present tense, a call for continuous activity. In chapter 2 Paul reiterates similarly, “become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (Phil.2:15). The darker the night the brighter the stars; as the world around us gets darker we should shine brighter.

Jesus said “you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt 5:14). A city on a hill can be seen from very far. On dark nights light makes the city beautiful and attractive. Wherever you are you and however dark the night is, you can get to that city by focusing on its light. John wrote “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it (John I:5). No matter how dark the world gets our light must never grow dim or go off. We have been given the power and all the resources we need to keep shining (2 Peter 1:3).

Paul is telling us that while we live here, our habits should reflect heaven.  The life of a believer must demonstrate the gospel which has the power to translate out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. He calls the believers to live lives that are worthy of being called Christians.  They are ambassadors for Christ, a community of heavenly citizens residing on earth (2cor 5:20). People judge heaven by their conduct.

We are to live as if we are being watched. No matter what happens we should live a life that is living proof that the kingdom of heaven is real. We are to live lives that demonstrate that we have been delivered from darkness to light, from death to life. We must never turn people away from heaven by the way they are living. Now, how does a citizen of heaven conduct himself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? 

The most unique thing about Christians and the greatest evangelistic tool that the Church has is integrity. Jesus said you shall know them by their fruit (Matt. 7:16-20). Only when the church has integrity is the message clear and believable.   People in the world hear the gospel preached and watch the conduct of believers.  If they see lives that don't reflect holiness, they conclude that the gospel has no power to transform lives.

Paul gives us characteristics of a church that is conducting itself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. First of all, that church is standing firm. The word translated “standing firm” literary means “be at your post and not move”. The military metaphor is that of holding a critical position while under tremendous attack. It refers to a soldier who will not budge from his post no matter what. Paul says “Stand firm in your belief and your character”. Live in an unyielding obedience to the Word of God.

Soldiers do not question commands; they fully obey for their safety and the safety of whole army. They must have their full armor all the time. It has the fighting weapons and it’s designed to protect them during the fight. Christian life is a continuous battle field; there is a continuous fight not against flesh and blood but against demonic powers. In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul says that “to stand firm”, you need to have the full armor of God. The full armor will ensure you a victorious fight and after the fight is over you will still be standing v.13”

The full armor is “loins girded with truthfulness” – your faith should not be superficial, be true to the core. “Breastplate of righteousness” - live a life of integrity.  “Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,”- live in peace with God and others.  “The shield of faith,”- take God at his word.  “The helmet of salvation,”- have confidence in God’s glorious ability to keep you until heaven. “The sword of the Spirit’- know the word of God and like Jesus you can tell the enemy that it is written.

Paul then moves from the metaphor of a soldier standing firm at his post to the metaphor of a team struggling together against a common opponent.  No soldier will survive if he goes to war alone, he will only survive in a team. Satan, like a roaring lion moves to and fro seeking someone to devour; a solitary believer is an easy target. In fact one of the devils tactics is to isolate and then attack.

The universal Church of Jesus Christ has a common mission on earth. That mission is to invade the lost world where the devil rules to take the saving gospel. This is a tough and dangerous mission. Jesus said “no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong mans house” ((mark 3:27). Jude wrote “safe others by snatching them from fire, to others show mercy mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 1:23).

This calls for teamwork, the only way to “stand firm in the one spirit, striving together as one “is to be engaged in a common mission. Many churches today deal with endless issues of discord, disunity, grudges and smoldering resentment. These are schemes the devil uses to try to tear the church up on the inside. He tries to make a breach between those who should labor together. Internal conflicts make Christianity unattractive. Jesus said “your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” John 13:33.

Paul knows that if the Philippians allow division to develop in their church, their faith will be immensely injured and the church will lose its witness for Christ. Thus he urges them to contend for the faith as if they were one man, totally committed to one goal. Then they will live like citizens of heaven, shining as stars in this dark world. They shall demonstrate sound doctrine and an attractive gospel to the watching world.