Philippians 4:1

Philippians 4:1 says, Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  Paul expressed his great love for the Christians at Philippi.  This was a Godly love, in which he put their welfare above his own.  He also called on them to stand fast in their faith in Jesus Christ, and not in their faith in Paul himself.  We should also have a deep, Godly love for our fellow Christians, and want their well-being and for them to stand fast in their faith.  Verse two adds, I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.  Paul cited two women who were evidently at odds with each other and called on them to be like minded in Christ.  As long as these two women and we today as followers of Christ are guided by our faith in Christ, we should never have disagreements to come between us as we work for the advancement of God's kingdom.  Verse three continues, And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.  Paul also called on someone that he called a true yokefellow to help those women and Clement who had worked to help support him in his ministry.  Paul may not have been with them physically anymore, but he was with them spiritually.  We need to always pray for the spiritual wellbeing of our fellow laborers in Christ, wherever they may be.  Verse four declares, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord, not just some of the time, but always.  We need to likewise always rejoice in the Lord, no matter what is going on in our life.  Verse five adds, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Paul called on them to live lives of moderation, which would be known by all those around them.  Paul called on them to do this because he said that the Lord was at hand.  We should live lives of moderation that reflect the values of Jesus Christ, because He is always at hand spiritually.  Verse six continues, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Paul called on them to not be guided by worries about material things, but with prayer and supplication to give thanksgiving to God and make their requests for what they needed known to Him.  We should not be guided by material desires but should put our faith in God to meet our needs, but not to satisfy our wants.  Verse seven concludes, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Paul said that when they, and we, put our faith in Christ in all things and at all times that He will give us a peace that passes all understanding.  The lost people of the world will never understand how we as followers of Christ can be at peace in the world today, and we may not fully understand it ourselves, but if we put our faith in Christ, we should be at peace no matter what is going on.  Verse eight declares, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Paul then called on the Christians at Philippi to think on the things of God.  We can look around us and see all the evil that is going on in the world today, but we are not to let our thoughts be filled with these things but are to let our thoughts be filled with the things of God.  Verse nine adds, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  Paul called on them to do the things that they had learned from him, both by his words and actions.  He then said that if they did that the God of peace would be with them.  This did not mean that they were to look to Paul for salvation, but that they could look to him for an example of how to live life after receiving salvation through Jesus Christ.  Verse ten states, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.  Paul said that he gave thanks to the Lord for the help that they were now able to offer him.  We should always give thanks to God anytime someone helps us in our spiritual walk in the world. 

Philippians 3:9

Philippians 3:9 says, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  Paul had listed all his qualifications to be called a child of God, then now says that he does not want to be judged by them, but by faith in Christ.  He wanted to be found in Christ and not his own righteousness.  No matter how righteous we may believe we are, our own righteousness will never save us.  We, like Paul, can only be saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse ten adds, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  Paul said that he wanted to know Christ, and not to just know of Him.  He wanted a personal relationship with Christ and wanted a fellowship with Him even in His sufferings and death.  Paul did not ask for material riches through his faith in Christ, but asked for faith that would sustain him through suffering and even death.  This is the faith that we need today.   Verse eleven continues, If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Paul said that he would suffer for his faith in Christ or even die for it so that he might gain everlasting life.  This is our ultimate goal today as followers of Christ.  Verse twelve concludes, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Paul said that he did not claim to be perfect already, but that he lived to be made perfect through his faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul said he was apprehended by, or under the control of, Jesus Christ.  We are not perfect as Christians, but we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirteen declares, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  Paul said that he did not claim to have apprehended complete righteousness, but that he was reaching for it while forgetting the things that went before, which included the good and the bad.  We cannot stand on our past accomplishments nor allow our past failures to keep us from God.  We can only live our life dedicated to following Jesus Christ every day.  Verse fourteen adds, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Paul said that he lived by pressing toward the mark or the prize of the high calling of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  As Christians, this should be our goal every day.  We are pressing on toward God's everlasting home that He has waiting for us through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse fifteen states, Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  Paul called on those who were made perfect before the heavenly Father to be like minded in their faith to Jesus Christ.  We as followers of Jesus Christ are not perfect, but we strive toward perfection through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse sixteen adds, Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  Paul said that those who had been saved by Jesus Christ, therefore being made perfect before the heavenly Father by the salvation of Jesus Christ, should be likeminded.  We as Christians should all be united in following God's will.  Verse seventeen says, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  Paul said that the Christians at Philippi should follow his example of faithful living, as well as the example of other faithful Christians.   I do not believe that Paul was calling on them to put their faith in him or any other Christian, but to learn how to be obedient to Jesus Christ by the example that he and others set.  We should learn from the example of other faithful Christians, but we can put our faith in Jesus Christ alone if we are to be saved.  Verse eighteen declares, (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  I believe that Paul is talking here about those who professed to be following Jesus Christ but really were enemies of the cross of Christ.  We cannot be followers of Jesus Christ and enemies of the cross, of a willingness to die to self, as well.  Verse nineteen adds, Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)  Paul said that those who only wanted the blessings of God without being willing to die for their faith would find only destruction.  We are called to die to self and earthly desires when we take up our cross daily.   Verse twenty continues, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  Paul said our conversation should be about the things of heaven and not the things of this world.  Verse twenty-one concludes, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  Paul tells us that we should be transformed from the vile person that we are to the forgiven person that faith in Jesus Christ makes us.  This will ultimately occur at the return of Jesus Christ, but we are to strive for that state daily. 

Philippians 3:1

Philippians 3:1 says, Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.  Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord, and so should we today.  Paul said what he wrote to them did not cause him grief and that it was safe for them to hear it.  Even though Paul was about to warn the believers in Philippi about some among them who were teaching false things about Christianity, he was not grieved by it, and he did so for their safety.  We should never be grieved by having to point out false teachings to other Christians. Verse two adds, Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.  Paul warned them to beware of those that he called dogs, evil workers, and those who spread concision.  Some people who processed to be Christians were teaching false things about what it meant to be a Christian, and this was causing problems in the church, and if we allow false teachings into the church today, it will cause problems, or contention, as well.  Verse three continues, For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Paul said that the true circumcision, which some were claiming was necessary for salvation, came from faith in Jesus Christ, and not from any physical act.  Salvation can come only through faith in Jesus Christ, and if anyone begins to add anything to that, then they are leading people astray.  Salvation is not controlled by any group of believers, but comes only by individual faith in Jesus Christ, and no one can take away an individual's salvation away.  Verse four declares, Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:  Paul said that if anyone thought that he or she could put their faith in the flesh, or in the keeping of religious rules, that he could do so even more.  No matter how many rules we may follow attempting to become worthy of salvation, it will never bring us salvation.  We are all unworthy and can only attain salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse five adds, Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;  Paul began to list his earthly credentials that many would have looked at to call him a great man of God.  He was born a Jew, circumcised the eighth day, and became a Pharisee when he was grown.  We may be able to list great credentials today that we would claim make us a follower of Christ, but they will never be of any real value.  Verse six continues, Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  Paul said that he had been blameless in the law and had even zealously persecuted the church before he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord.  Paul did not count his actions in the name of God as bringing him into a right relationship with God, and neither can we today.  If we do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, no matter how good we may feel we are, nothing else matters.  Verse seven states, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Paul said he counted all those things that would seem to make him a great Jew, or man of God, as a lose because of his relationship with Jesus Christ.  We cannot attempt to justify ourselves by our own actions but can be justified toward God only by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Anything and everything else does not matter.  Verse eight adds, Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  Paul emphatically stated that he counted all his personal achievements as a loss when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, and so must we.  We cannot have a personal relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ plus anything else but can only have that relationship through faith in Christ alone.

Philippians 2:21

Philippians 2:21 says, For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.  Paul said that everyone was seeking what they wanted instead of what Jesus Christ wanted.  We know this is true of those who had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, but we cannot allow it to be true of us if we have accepted Him.  This is part of the problem with a name it and claim it religion. In such, we are seeking our own things and not the things of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-two adds, But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.  Paul said Timothy was not seeking his own wealth, but was as a son to him, serving for the gospel of Christ with Paul.  This needs to be what people say about our life as Christians, that we are serving for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-three declares, Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.  Paul said he hoped to send Timothy to the Christians at Philippi soon, but he had to wait and see what happened to himself.  I believe this means that Paul was waiting to have God's will revealed to him.  If he were freed, he would likely be planning to come with Timothy, unless he felt that God had other plans.  There is nothing wrong with making plans, as long as we make them in accordance with God's plan for our life.  Verse twenty-four adds, But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.  As just stated,  Paul hoped to come to Philippi soon himself,  but he put it all under God's control.  At no point did he say that he wanted to come and he was going to pray about it and since that was what he desired that God would grant it.  As followers of Christ, we must never believe that what we want from our own desire is what God wants for us.  Verse twenty-five states, Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.   Paul said that he felt it necessary to send Epaphroditus, his brother, companion in the work of Christ, and fellow soldier in the army of Jesus Christ, to the believers at Philippi.  Though Epaphroditus was very close to Paul, he was not selfishly saying that he must remain with him.  Like Paul, we may at times have to give up someone close to us to go elsewhere to do the work of Christ.  Verse twenty-six adds, For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.  Paul said that Epaphroditus longed to come to Philippi, because they had heard that he had been sick.  He waited to relieve their worry.  Verse twenty-seven continues, For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  Paul said that Epaphroditus had been very sick, but that God had been merciful to him and healed him.  Paul also said that God was merciful to him when He healed Epaphroditus, because if Epaphroditus had died he would have had sorrow on sorrow.  God's mercy does not just affect the one it is shown to, but often affects those close to them as well.  Verse twenty-eight declares, I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.  Paul said that he sent Epaphroditus to them again so that they might rejoice.  I believe Paul did this because he knew it was what God wanted and not just to cause the followers of Christ at Philippi to rejoice.   Paul also said sending Epaphroditus to them made him less sorrowful, I believe because their sadness over what they believed had happened to Epaphroditus also saddened Paul.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:  Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to receive Epaphroditus in the Lord with gladness.   Verse thirty concludes, Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.  Paul said that because of the work of Epaphroditus for the Jesus Christ that he had nearly died, but he still was not concerned with his life, but instead was concerned with meeting Paul's needs, which the church at Philippi had failed to do.  I don't believe that Paul said this to condemn them, but did so to point out how important Epaphroditus was to him, but also to point out how important they, the believers at Philippi, were as well.  We should never selfishly do what we believe is best for us individually if it is at the cost of what is best for our fellow Christians.  Of course, as long as we are following God's will, the two things, what I may want and the will of God, will be the same.

Philippians 2:12

Philippians 2:12 says, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  Paul said the Christians at Philippi had always obeyed God.  Paul said that they did this not only when he was present, which might have been done simply to impress him, but when he was absent as well.  He then called on them to work out their own salvation, which did not mean create their own salvation plan, but meant for them to grow in Christ without him.  They were to do so with fear and trembling or understanding the importance of their salvation.  We cannot rely on anyone or anything to bring us salvation but Jesus Christ, and once we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, we must then individually grow in our faith.  Verse thirteen adds, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  Paul told them this was true because it was God Who worked in them to do what was pleasing to Him, and not Paul.  We are to acknowledge that God alone saves us, and not the person who may have led us to Christ.  Verse fourteen states, Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  Paul really didn't say do some things, or even things related to the church, without murmurings and disputings, but to do all things without them.  I believe we sometimes want to separate the world into spiritual and material, but as Christians we should live every moment of our life under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and there is no separation.  What we do when we are out in the world should be guided by God just as much as what we do when we are gathered to worship Him.  Verse fifteen adds, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  What Paul said here I believe further reinforces the fact that he was speaking of every aspect of our life.  The crooked and perverse nation may not really note what we do when we are gathered together in worship, but when we are out among them they should see the shining light of Jesus in our lives.  Verse sixteen declares, Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  Paul called on them to hold on to the word of life, salvation through Jesus Christ, so that his witnessing and teaching them would not have been in vain.  If they were only trying to please Paul or were putting their faith in him instead of God and lost their faith when he wasn't there, then his work would have been for nothing.  Our faith must never be in a preacher or teacher but must always be in Christ alone.  Verse seventeen adds, Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.  Paul said that if he was offered up because of his witnessing to them that he would still rejoice in them.  Whatever happens to us because of our faith, we should rejoice in our fellow believers.  They will be the ones to continue God's work.  Verse eighteen continues, For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.  Paul said because of their faith that they were to rejoice in him also, no matter what his situation in the world might be.  We are to rejoice in and with our fellow Christians today, no matter what their situation in the world might be.  Verse nineteen says, But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.  Paul said that he trusted that God would allow him to send Timothy to them so that he could get a first-hand report of how they were doing as they followed Christ, and not how they were doing as they followed Paul.  Paul wasn't concerned with how their faith made him look, but with how their faith glorified Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty adds, For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.  Paul said he had no one else but Timothy to send who was likeminded with him about the spiritual welfare of the Christians at Philippi.  

Philippians 2:1

Philippians 2:1 says, If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  Paul continues with his exhortation to the believers at Philippi.  He begins with rhetorical questions.  He asked if they believed that there was any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any mercy through faith in Christ, and the answer was an obvious yes.  We should experience those same things as followers of Christ today.  Verse two adds, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Paul then told them to fulfill his joy by being likeminded, filled with the same love of Christ, and united in their serving God.  This would have fulfilled Paul's joy because they would have been proving that they had indeed accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and above all else this was what Paul desired.  We as Christians should be the same way today.  Verse three continues, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Paul asked that they not allow themselves to be filled with strife and vainglory, but to do everything with a humble attitude toward other Christians, never feeling that they were better than any other Christian.  It is a sad testimony when we as followers of Christ fight and argue with each other, especially if we do so because we feel morally superior to any other Christian.  Verse four states, Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Paul said that as followers of Christ that they should not be concerned with their own welfare, but they should be concerned with the welfare of others, especially fellow believers, as well.  I don't believe that God blesses us just so we can have more material things simply for our own use, but that He blesses us so that we can help others as well.  Verse five adds, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Paul called on them to be of the same mind as Christ Himself was.  This should be our standard in life today if we are Christians.  Jesus Christ never did anything for selfish reasons or for self-glorification, and neither should we.  Verse six continues, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  Jesus did not feel that He was any less God because of His coming into the world as a lowly Man in order to redeem the world.  Verse seven says, But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  Paul then stated that though Jesus Christ was indeed God, He took on the likeness of man and became a lowly servant.  He was fully God and fully Man, and He is the example we should follow.  Though we can never be fully God, we can be fully filled with His Spirit and humbly reach out to others with His love.  Verse eight adds, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Paul said that as a Man, Jesus humbled Himself in obedience to the heavenly Father, even to the point of dying on the cross for the sins of humanity.  Once more, we are called on to follow the example of Jesus Christ, and though we cannot die to redeem others, we should be willing to die for our faith in Him.  Verse nine continues, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  Paul said that God the Father exalted Jesus Christ and gave Him a name above all others.  Those who crucified Jesus Christ may have believed that they had defeated Him, but His heavenly Father said that He was exalted.  Verse ten states, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  Paul said that one day every knee would bow to Jesus Christ, in heaven and on earth.  The question is will we bow as a part of His family or as a part of those who have refused to acknowledge Him while it could still bring us salvation.   Verse eleven adds, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  One day, everyone will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, but for way too many it will come too late.  We must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord in this lifetime in order to claim salvation through Him.

Philippians 1:20

Philippians 1:20 says, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  Paul said that his earnest desire was to be ashamed in nothing in his Christian life.  He said that he wanted the boldness to live by faith in Jesus Christ so that everything he did would magnify Christ, either by the way he lived or by the way he died.  We need that same faith and attitude today.  As followers of Christ, we should never be ashamed to proclaim the gospel of Christ and to live, or die if necessary, so that whatever we do will glorify God.  Verse twenty-one adds, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Paul then said that if he lived, it would be for doing the will of Christ, and if he died it would be his gain.  Paul wasn't in a hurry to die, since as long as he lived, he could witness to others about Jesus Christ.  He also said that if he died that he would gain everlasting life, which would be better than anything this world has to offer.  We as Christians should live for God's glory, knowing that if we die for our faith, or simply die, that it is not the end, but the beginning of our everlasting life with nothing between God and us.  Verse twenty-two continues, But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  I believe that Paul was saying if the choice was his between living and continuing to suffer for his faith or dying and enjoying his heavenly home with Christ that he did not know which he would choose, but he knew the choice was not his.  The choice is not ours today either.  As long as God leaves us in this life, no matter how bad things may get, we are to live to glorify Him, and when we die, we will be with Him forever. We simply have to remain faithful, and we win either way.  Verse twenty-three declares, For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  Paul said that he was in a strait, or having a hard time deciding what was best.  He said he had a desire to be with Christ, which was better and meant that Paul had to die.  We may at times feel that we would rather go on to be with Christ than to continue in the pain and struggles of this world below.  Verse twenty-four adds, Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  Paul then added that to continue to live was beneficial to those that he shared the gospel with, so that was what put him in a strait between choosing life or death.  That is why he simply left it up to God, as we must today.  Verse twenty-five continues, And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  Paul said that he had confidence that he would continue to abide, or live, for the benefit of those that he was witnessing to.  We as followers of Christ should see life as a time that God gives us to share the gospel with others and to edify other Christians.  Verse twenty-six concludes, That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.  Paul said that his returning to the Christians at Philippi would help them grow in faith in Jesus Christ.  I don't believe that Paul was saying that he was morally superior to the Christians at Philippi, but that he could share with them the truth of God's word as the worshipped together.  We should benefit from worship with other believers and should help those who are younger in faith to grow in Christ.  Verse twenty-seven states, Only let your conversation be as it 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;  Paul told them to stand fast in the gospel and let their conversation reflect their faith.  Paul said that the things that they said should be in accordance with the gospel, so that whether he got to return to see them or not that he would hear of their good works for Christ and that they were united in spreading the gospel.  This should be what people say about us today as Christians.  Verse twenty-eight adds, 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.  Paul told them that they should not be terrified by anything that the people of the world might do to them because of their faith.  He also said that the actions of those who opposed Christians would be to their perdition, or coming punishment, but it would be to the Christian as evidence of their salvation.  We have no reason to live in fear today if we are followers of Christ and are obedient to God's will.  Verse twenty-nine continues, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  Paul said that their salvation given by Christ also called on them to suffer with Him.  He did not promise them material wealth and happiness, but suffering with Christ because of their faith.  Christianity is not about earthly things, but about heavenly things.  Verse thirty concludes, Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.  Paul said he knew that they might have the same conflict that he had about living or dying.  We as followers of Christ today may likewise know that we will be better off after we die because we will be with God forever, but we also need to know that as long as we live we need to witness for Christ and uplift one another.