Philippians 1:27-28

So what does he say here? He says, to Christ's enemies Christians' righteous, godly conduct is proof of their, meaning non-Christians, coming destruction. That it is a witness against them that they will die. Remember, God says that He judges according to our works. Our righteous behavior, our works prove that God has called us to salvation, is that not what he said? He says that your good works are proof to you of salvation and that from God. So he is saying when you do good works, when you do what God wants you to do, that shows you and everybody else that you are one of the saved, you are one of the elect. You are doing right. You are acting godly. That is what godly people do.

But, when non-believers see that, they do not see you acting as Christ's agents in the world doing what you are supposed to do as sons and daughters of God. What they see is they are sentenced to death because they are not living up to the standard of God. They are sinning, they are wicked, they are evil. And what does God say when your acts are wicked and evil and sinful? That you are subject to the wrath of God.

So in this way, true Christians become a glaring witness against evildoers, testifying of their doom, proclaiming judgment without saying a word, and forecasting God's wrath. That is the image that Paul brings up here in in Philippians 1:28.

Philippians 1:27-30

Wow, look at those battle terms: "Stand fast!" "Battling enemies." "Suffering." "Still fighting." That has all the sound of war, does it not?

It is so interesting. Where I read to you in the first line of verse 27, "Whatever happens make sure that your everyday. . ." That is the way it is translated in the Phillips Bible. In the New King James this word "everyday" is translated "conduct." I believe in the King James the word might be "conversation." Do you know what the word is there in Greek? The word in Greek is the same word from which we get the English word "politics."

What is Paul talking about here? This word can also be used in the sense of citizenship. He is drawing here on what he is saying about our responsibility. We are to conduct our everyday life according to what would be expected of a citizen—not a citizen of Philippi though, but a citizen of the Kingdom of God.