I have come to realize that if I am struggling with a verse or part of the Bible, there is a big truth that the devil is trying to hide from me.
As I pray about it and read and re-read it, interruptions keep coming fast. This is one of those parts of the Bible…
At first it seems there is just a lot twirly words, gap filler, here… but Paul doesn’t generally mess about with niceties when he gets into things, so I know there is more.
Philippians 1:27: “… live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s Gospel…”
The one thing that takes my focus off from God is arguments and disagreements. And a church not unified in purpose and beliefs is a church that is completely ineffective.
Our life in the church should be the same as our life outside? Bearing the fruits? So why are we often more contentious about doctrine? With less patience? And no long suffering?
Because the devil knows where to attack us. Paul knew this. He didn’t go after the early Christians for any other reason than his love of God and defending the faith of Israel!
Paul understood this trap! And He spoke in the same language as he did to the Ephesians when he spoke about the Armour of God.
The “shield of Faith” is THE important one. Paul quotes psalm 91:4 when he refers to this:
God is Faithful to protect us. OUR Faith in God is is based on God’s Faithfulness.
And the attacks inside the church is even more effective than outside. (Both the church as a place or as a group of people)
But the important thing here is hidden in verse Philippians 1:28b – our faithfulness is the sign of our salvation.
Faith in God, Faithful to God and our calling, God’s Faithfulness to protect and shield and care for… once I got my head wrapped around that… verse 28a hit home:
THAT WAY YOU WON’T BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING YOUR ENEMIES DO…
The devil isn’t stupid, he will keep on shooting where our defense is weakest. Without our Shield of Faith [and Faithfulness] we are toast. Ineffectual.
