在我们今天的经文中，使徒保罗并不确定自己能否去拜访腓利比信徒。但“无论如何，”他说：“只要你们行事为人与基督的福音相称。”接受基督里信仰的礼物，并不是意味着预留天堂门票。神乃是召我们进入有着一系列结果的永恒关系。
信徒的生活不是休闲娱乐，或仅仅期待永恒的奖赏。我们乃是有使命的，我们被神拣选，要按着祂的旨意成就世上的工作。我们必须意识到，这事关重大。它不是为了逃避毁灭而抓住某个信念，它乃是一种蒙召牺牲受苦的生活方式。为基督而活需要付代价！
保罗分享福音时经历了喜乐，但他也忍受了令人痛苦的弃绝和肉身的苦难。跟随耶稣需要我们顺服和委身。行事为人“与基督的福音相称”，意味着在生活的各个层面事奉祂，无论我们将面对何种境况。它适用于每时每刻，每一天。
我们被给予机会，可以为耶稣受苦，这听起来很不寻常。然而这的确是个礼物。我们去经历了，才会明白。我们是否愿意呢？
耶稣，请帮助我明白，你为我的缘故忍受了苦难。求使我愿意为了你和你的国度受苦，无论我将遭遇何事。奉你的名祷告。阿们。
腓立比书 1:27-30
27只要你们行事为人与基督的福音相称，叫我或来见你们，或不在你们那里，可以听见你们的景况，知道你们同有一个心志，站立得稳，为所信的福音齐心努力，
28凡事不怕敌人的惊吓，这是证明他们沉沦、你们得救，都是出于神。
29因为你们蒙恩，不但得以信服基督，并要为他受苦。
30你们的争战，就与你们在我身上从前所看见、现在所听见的一样。
“It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” — Philippians 1:29
In our Scripture for today, the apostle Paul is not sure whether he will be able to visit his readers in Philippi. But “whatever happens,” he says, “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Accepting the gift of faith in Christ means more than having a reservation in heaven. God calls us into an eternal relationship with consequences.
The life of the believer is not designed to be one of leisure or merely looking forward to an eternal reward. We’re here on a mission, chosen by God to do his will and his work in this world. We must realize that this is serious business. It’s more than holding to certain beliefs to escape total destruction. It’s a way of life calling for sacrifice. It may include suffering. Living for Christ can be costly!
Paul experienced joy as he shared the gospel, but he also endured painful rejection and physical suffering. Following Jesus is a call to obedience, a discipleship of duty. Conducting ourselves in a “manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” means serving him in all areas of life, no matter what consequences we might face. It applies every hour, every day.
Being given an opportunity to suffer for Jesus sounds unusual. And yet it’s a gift. We have to experience it before we can understand. Are we willing?
Jesus, help me to realize that you suffered for my sake. Empower me to be willing to suffer for you and your kingdom, no matter what. In your name I pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
