One Mind One Spirit

 ²⁷Only 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;
-Philippians 1:27 (KJV)

The Apostle Paul had a way with words. Upon reading his letters, I come away with a sense of challenge, to be the person I claim to be. Paul was straighforward with the content of those letters, he wasn't one to "water down" the Gospel. I was especially challenged as I read Philippians 1:27. Let's break it down.

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:
Paul is teaching us about our conduct, the way we live our lives. The word "conversation" here means conduct. We need to make sure we live our lives in such a way that it lines up with the Gospel. We can't serve God only on Sunday, it must be a 24/7 deal. Too often, we live one way when we go to church, and another way on Friday or Saturday night. Is this what God really expected of us? Is this why He sent Jesus to pay the penalty of our sins? I think not. Paul is teaching us here that the way we conduct ourselves should line up with Gospel that we claim to follow. Any one of us can claim Christ as our Savior and Lord. Yet, that claim is proven by the way we conduct ourselves. Do you conduct yourself in such a way that when others see you, they see the Gospel in action? Do I conduct myself in this way?

that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs,
Christians who are lined up with the Gospel are going to be noticed. They are going to stand out. that is the idea behind this phrase. Paul loved to travel to the churches. He loved to help them grow into the people God intended them to be. Paul is telling them that whether he comes to them, or not, he wants to hear about them. The Christian who truly puts God first in their lives, and lives like God intends, will change their world. Are you living in such a way that others are hearing about your good works? Do I live in such a way that others are hearing about my works. Paul is not telling us to boast in, or be proud of our works. But, if you are truly doing the Will of God in your life, others will notice, and be challenged to do likewise.

 that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
This is the proof of a life lived in accordance with the Will of God. This is the proof of a church that is focused on what God wants, and not what man wants. Loook at the words of Paul here. That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; This should be a picture of the body of Christ. Do we, as the body of Christ, stand in one spirit and one mind? Do you think that Jesus is proud of the church the He bought with His shed blood on the cross? We need to be unified in our work for the Lord. When we truly love God, when we truly do the His Will in our lives, then, and only then, can we work together with one mind and one spirit. Notice what they are striving for. that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; We need to work together, with our minds set on helping others come to faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to put aside denominational differences, and work together, with one mind and spirit to bring others to the faith we have in Jesus Christ? Think About It.