God grants you faith, but that's not all!
Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)
CONTEXT: Paul writes this letter to the Philippians from prison, and he doesn't know what the immediate future holds for him. His prayer is that no matter what happens to him, Christ will be exalted. "For to me," he writes in v21, "to live is Christ and to die is gain."
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 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Canons of Dordt
Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election
5 - The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith
The cause or blame
for this unbelief,
as well as for all other sins,
is
not at all in God,
but in man.
Faith in Jesus Christ, however,
and salvation through him
is a free gift of God
Summary
Paul's desire for these people he loved so dearly was for them to stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. The clearest indication that they were standing firm would be, as one dictionary defines the word Paul used, for them "to conduct themself with proper reference to their obligations in relationship to others, as part of some community." In other words, they were to live in a way that helped meet the needs of others, especially their fellow church members, but also the entire Philippian community in general.
You've been reminded often that living a godly life is a good way to point others to Christ, and that is true (1 Peter 2:2). But Paul puts an interesting twist on the concept here. When church members conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, it doesn't necessarily point others to heaven, rather this is a sign to them [the non-believers] that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved! That explains why the world is often so hostile to Christians!
There are two clauses in particular here that catch our attention today, as we come to understand that, as the Canons put it, faith in Jesus Christ and salvation through Him are a free gift of God. Your good conduct is a sign both to you and your community that you will be saved, but Paul makes clear that it's not your good conduct that saves you. You've been saved by God.
Paul goes on to write that the very fact that you believe in Christ has been granted to you. Understand that your faith is not an indication that you're smarter than the average bear and so were able to see and believe in the salvation that comes through Christ even though so many other people missed it. Rather, you believe the gospel simply because God has granted you the ability to do so.
 Dig DeeperÂ
This passage contains two shocking statements. We've already seen the first, that your good conduct is viewed by non-believers as a reminder that they will be destroyed.
The second shock comes in the second 'gift' God grants you. Not only has He granted you on behalf of Christ to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him. Paul knew first hand of this suffering. He wrote these words as he waited to be executed while chained to a dungeon wall.
Many churches, just like businesses, spend thousands of dollars marketing themselves to their communities hoping to attract unbelievers so they can share the gospel. In doing so, they extol the benefits salvation brings, like peace and fellowship in the community of believers. These are true and worthwhile benefits that are worth sharing!
But few churches advertise that just as God grants people faith, He also grants them the opportunity to suffer for Christ. But this too is good news! Paul explains to new Christians on his missionary journeys that we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
As you endure suffering in your life, especially when its on Christ's behalf, be sure to remind yourself that it has been granted to you by God as a means to bring you into His kingdom.
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who grants us salvation and the opportunity to suffer for Him;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 6
