Philippians 1:27
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
One of the sad things about Christians is that we tend to fight against each other more than we work together. With so many things that seem to be worthy of fighting, you would think that we could set aside some of our petty differences for the sake of the Gospel. If our personality conflicts could be set aside, I truly believe that we could strive together to accomplish great things for God.
Paul challenged the church at Philippi to strive together “for the faith of the gospel.” In the previous verses, he explains how there were many who were preaching Christ, not for the sake of the Gospel, but to add contention among the brethren and to add to his affliction. By challenging them to strive together, he was saying they needed to wrestle together or labor together for the furtherance of the Gospel. With this thought in mind, let me point out some things that God emphasized about striving together.
First, the focal point is the Gospel. I want you to notice that God does not say to strive together to get someone elected into office, to get legislation passed or to see a social agenda furthered. They were to strive together to spread the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ must always be our focal point of striving together.
Second, the challenge was to a local church. Paul was not challenging every church to strive together, but he gave the challenge to one local church. Often we take this challenge that every church needs to set aside their differences for the sake of the Gospel. NO! This is to the local church. We must be careful that we don’t get so focused on unity that we believe unity between churches is what God wants. God never addresses a conglomerate of churches. He always addresses the local church. The local church is to strive together for the Gospel.
Third, the challenge was to strive together for the Gospel and not the furtherance of a personality. One of the biggest problems I see in our churches today is that we get caught up in fighting for personalities and not for the Gospel. Let me make it clear that the only personality for Whom we are to fight is the personality of Jesus Christ. Stop striving for human personalities and start striving for the Gospel.
Fourth, we are not to compromise what we believe to strive for the Gospel. Notice that the challenge to strive was for the “faith of the gospel.” I’m not to lay aside the faith so the Gospel can be spread, I’m to hold onto the faith and strive to spread the Gospel. Don’t fall for the Devil’s trap that we must set aside the faith so the Gospel can be spread. If you lose the faith, then you will start spreading a different gospel.
Fifth, don’t get so wrapped up in striving that you turn to striving against each other. Be careful that you don’t get so used to fighting that you start fighting those who are fighting with you. It’s easy to get in such a fighting spirit that you get sidetracked and start fighting those along side of you. Don’t fight people, but fight for the faith. Yes, our opponent is always a human, but we must realize we are not fighting them, but we are fighting that for which they stand. Your goal should be to see your opponent reached with the Gospel you’re striving to spread.
Friend, keep your focus right. Remember it is a battle and you will unfortunately lose people in this battle, but continue to strive together with those in your local church so the Gospel can reach the lost of your city.