Conversations and Conflicts

Only let your conversation be as is 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; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me (Philippians 1:27-30). 

From prison, the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians. He instructs, encourages, and finally, makes a few awe inspiring declarations:

Instructions:

1. When you speak, have it be about the gospel of Christ

2. Whether I am with you, or out of sight, I want to hear that you are one in spirit, single minded in your unity; 

3. Strive together for the faith of the gospel

4. Don't be terrified by your adversaries

Encouragements: 

1. When your adversaries attempt to terrify you, it is an evident token of their perdition, meaning: they make themselves enemies of God when they attack you, and this marks them as hell bent and moving toward damnation

2. When your adversaries attempt to terrify you, it is an evident token of your salvation, meaning: you are being attacked because you clearly belong to God, and you are heading toward your heavenly abode as a saved by God person

Declarations; 

1. Unto you is given in behalf of Christ, to believe on him. The Father gave us to his Son; our faith is God given

2. You will suffer for his sake 

3. You will have conflict, just as Paul had conflict, including possible imprisonment, and other humiliations that God gives strength for in the suffering, for the cause of the gospel

Dear one, only a Christian can delight in what has been expressed here on the typed page. Only a Christ follower grins at the thought of suffering for his sake. Only a child of God, wants to be, just like the Son of God. Is this you? 

1. When you speak, is it about Christ and his saving grace?

2. Knowing God sees all, would you be making him proud right now, or have him turning his face from you?

3. Are you united with your kindred when striving and sharing your faith in the gospel of Christ?

4. Are you as fearless as the Holy Spirit, when facing adversaries to the faith?

1. Are you aware of the differences between the enemies of God, and those that belong to him?

2. Do you comprehend the magnitude of the diametrically opposed spiritual states, of perdition and salvation?

1. You are saved by God or you belong to the Devil. Those are the only options

If you belong to Christ;

2. You will suffer and; 

3. You will face conflict

Dear one, are you standing fast in your faith, or wavering in your mental and spiritual instability? What we say in conversation when committed to Christ, will undoubtedly cause conflict. Paul makes it clear that he suffered, willingly, joyfully, wholeheartedly, for the gospel, wanting one and all to know Christ as Saviour. It is Christian duty and delight, to speak of Jesus, and what he has done for us as individuals, and the mystical body corporate. It is a magnificent experience to be one in the Spirit, and one in the Lord, with brothers and sisters in Christ. There is nothing to compare to the glorious feeling of knowing God, living for God, and loving humanity, even in their broken down and limping state of immorality and lostness:

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

The love of God abounds in Christians each time we recognize and are reminded (via Bible reading and study), how much he loved us while we were wretched, miserable, small-minded, and disobedient golems. How can true Christians not weep and plead for the salvation of souls, when recalling all that Christ has done for us? 

NOTE: the word golem is defined as - in Jewish folklore, the golem is an artificial humanoid formed from earth or clay and brought to life through sacred knowledge. In slang, a golem typically describes someone who is clumsy, oafish, or unintelligent. 

I have to laugh a little. It is human nature to create our own version of self, based on ego, vainglorious unrighteousness, and pride. The Jews would make idols of clay and attribute mystical magic powers to the handcrafted weirdos they called golem. I have heard through the grapevine, that Gentiles are called golem, by the Jews, which is their way of slighting us as clumsy, oafish, and unintelligent. Funny isn't it, how God sees our foolishness and loves us during our idiocy, and then teaches us how to love like him, once we see Christ on the cross as dying for our sins? 

Have you reconciled yourself to Christ yet, dear one? Isn't it time to lift the veil, and finally see, what you have been missing? Submit to God, and he will lift you heavenward, and while looking down onto where you were, you will weep tears of joy, knowing he plucked you from your own muck, and washed you clean in his salvation rich blood. Let us end our time together with scripture:

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.