A Life that is Worthy

Passion 2011: Second Session

"Whatever happens conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." -Philippians 1:27

Again, one of those verses that is seemingly simple to understand, yet glancing over it and moving on does not allow the meaning to actually sink in and change the way we live. During the second Passion session, Francis Chan took the time to unpack this weighted verse, allowing me to see the meaning in a new light.

It's like having one of those moments when you think to yourself, Ahhh... I finally get it, but knowing full-well that sometime next year you're going to have a: Now I REALLY get it moment. But isn't that the beauty of our journey of faith? Isn't that why we have assurances that God isn't finished with us yet (Phil 1:6)? Because we're constantly growing and constantly learning and by God's grace, constantly taking part in this process we like to call sanctification.

If I sit down and really think about what the Bible says-- I mean really says-- I get extremely confused. It doesn't make sense that a holy, beautiful, majestic God would have any sort of desire to know me. It doesn't make sense that though the punishment for sin is death, I'm still breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Yup, still alive. It doesn't make sense that a perfect Lord would step down from heaven into a lowly existence in a broken creation... for love. It doesn't make sense that God has new mercies, morning after morning. It doesn't make sense that Almighty God watched his son crucified because he loved us. This doesn't make sense.

But it's true.

And if I actually believe this message, shouldn't my life be different?

You see, when we are called to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, our lives need to make sense in light of the Gospel. The word "worthy" means "same weight, equal." Francis Chan brought a scale on stage. If the Gospel sits in one basket and my life in the other... how does it measure up? If the reality of eternal life-- or death-- is something I truly believe, then shouldn't my life reflect this deep conviction?

I should be living with a tenacity that pushes people out of darkness and into Light. Extreme measures to bring the Gospel to an unreached people group? Radical sacrificial lifestyles in the heart of America? How can it even be "extreme" or "radical" when placed next to message of Christ?

When this message sinks from my head and into my heart, a captivating, crazy kind of love knocks me down and carries me away.

"I don't want you to be afraid of anything." -God