and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. — Phillipians 1:28.
Men, Paul instructs the Philippians to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together.” That one mind is focused on Christ and they are to strive together to know Him more and bear His likeness as a result.
Paul now says, “Don’t in any way be terrified by our enemies.” We know full well that the people of God have very real opposition and enemies. Especially during times and places of physical persecution, believers, understandably, become terrified for what may happen to themselves or loved ones. Some historical and current acts against Christians are nothing short of barbaric. Even so, our lack of fear will be a sign of defeat to the enemy. The person may in fact die, but the fearlessness demonstrated will haunt those who order and carry out the order to bring harm against God’s people.
Furthermore, our fearlessness will be a sign of salvation to believers. Is there a more final act of faith and allegiance to the Lord God than to stare our murderous fate in the face and welcome the occasion to meet Jesus in Glory in an instant? Would the Lord God not welcome such a person with honors? Our time is filled with venom and slur against the ways of God and the people who accept Jesus as Savior and adopt His ways and precepts.
Most of it is noise at the moment here, but elsewhere, real hate and risk is volleyed against believers. Let us be in prayer for believers to be strengthened in their hour of trouble, that Spirit empowered fearlessness strikes terror in the hearts of the enemy, and drives them to consider, who is this Jesus really?
Move forward men, in no way terrified, but in all ways faithful, with focus on the finish line of seeing Christ Jesus and hearing His welcome into eternal Kingdom presence. These days, as they were for the Philippians, and for Paul, are “momentary afflictions.”
Vance Durrance
