Monday, December 4, 2017

A Conversation Worthy of the gospel


Philippians 1:27-28 “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, 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.”

I read a short study on the word “conversation”. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “conversation” as: General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals. “Be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” - 1 Peter 1. The study stated that the Greek word translated “conversation” emphasizes “citizenship,” with all of its attendant loyalties and expectations for appropriate behavior. The structure of the introductory word “only” indicates that it is an adjective, not an adverb. Thus, the opening phrase could be rendered, “Your only citizenship must be lived out so that it becomes the gospel.”

The New Testament employs three different Greek terms that are translated “conversation.” (1) “Anastrepho” is best understood as “dwelling” or “remaining” in a certain place: “Put off concerning the former conversation,” we are commanded in Ephesians 4:22. (2) “Tropos” stresses the manner of life, perhaps implying the reputation one gains by the lifestyle: “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example” – Jude 1:7. (3) “Politeuo”, the term used by Paul in our text, conveys citizenship: “For our conversation is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, politeuma). The emphasis of our opening Bible passage is on our lifestyle and testimony as “Ambassadors for Christ” in a foreign land. As such, we are to live in a manner that “becometh” the gospel—“that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” - Ephesians 4:1.

The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “conversion” as: a change of heart, or dispositions, in which the enmity of the heart to God and His law and the obstinacy of the will are subdued, and are succeeded by supreme love to God and His moral government, and a reformation of life. As “born again” Christians and the body of Christ, we are to stand fast in a unity of one spirit with one mind. Paul closed his letter to the Philippians with this: “Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” – Philippians 4:1. Our conversation with the Lord, our God, goes much deeper than words.

Blessings.

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