Scripture: Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
Devotion: One of the first responsibilities that is listed for an ambassador is that of representing their home country. They act as a spokesperson. They advocate for and articulate their nation’s interests, policies, and viewpoints.
Earlier this week, we talked about the very idea of being Christ’s ambassadors. We are representatives of Him to others. This is the most important role we will ever be given. As such, we want to make sure that we take every effort to do it well. That means that one of our key responsibilities is to be a spokesperson of the Gospel. Paul implores the church of Philippi to do this. He encourages them that whatever comes their way, that their conduct and behavior be worthy of the gospel.
This makes me think of the expectations of our family. In this season of toddlers and babies, they are pretty simple and straightforward. But when I drop my kids off at daycare or school, I remind them to be kind, be a good friend, be a good listener, and not to hit or bite (the little one is a biter). These are the rules and expectations that we have in our household, and I try to remind them of it every day. Then I give the most important reminder last: that I love them.
This is much like our role as ambassadors. When we go about our day, we are called to act in such a manner that is worthy of the gospel. Are the things that we are doing and saying a good representation of Christ? Does the way that we treat people reflect the love of Jesus? Does how we respond in situations point to the joy and peace that we find in our Lord? If we answer honestly, sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes it is no. But as we take on each day, we should seek to represent the gospel of Christ the best we can. And then we rest in the most important reminder: that He loves us.
Reflect:
- How can you conduct yourself in a way that represents the gospel today?
