Philippians 1:27-28 NIV
[27] “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel [28] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”

“Striving as one…” It must have been comforting for Paul to know that he was not alone in his efforts to spread the gospel. As much as he was preaching and teaching wherever he went, he was also fighting the good fight of faith…the daily struggle to subdue his old nature by faith in Christ, his hope of glory.

How vital it was for Paul and all his fellow believers, not only in Philippi but also wherever a fellowship of believers was established in cities and towns across the empire, to be living witnesses to the power of the gospel in a spiritually dark and pagan world. It was not enough to believe in Jesus. Their faith must be lived every day and in every way for them to testify to His saving power.

Jesus gave His disciples a commission…to BE His witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit in them.

Acts 1:8 NIV
[8] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Being His witnesses meant believing in His work of salvation through His death…and living lives that reflect His nature in them by identifying with Him in His death.

2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV
[15] “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

Romans 6:3-4 NIV
[3] “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The greatest work of the believer, even above serving Jesus, is the work of overcoming the flesh to live lives of submission and obedience to the Master. Why do I say this? Living righteous lives in obedience to Jesus is the hallmark of every believer, the evidence that God’s grace has changed a person from rebel to son, gladly submitting to and obeying Jesus as Lord. Holy lives, so days the Father, are imperative is we ever to see Him.

Hebrews 12:14 NLT
[14] “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

John 14:21 NIV
[21] “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

On the strength of this truth, Paul made a startling statement. It’s this evidence, increasing likeness to Jesus, that both confirms our salvation AND unbelievers’ judgment.

Philippians 1:28 NLT
[28] “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

Unity, then, goes beyond being one in faith and fellowship. Unity is the oneness of heart and experience that embraces two important functions of every believer, and strives together to accomplish two important purposes…

Philippians 1:27 NLT
[27]”Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”

First, they must overcome their old nature to live righteous lives as is worthy of the gospel,…

Philippians 1:27 NLT
[27] Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ…

…and they must protect and preserve the body of truth, called “the faith” which is the whole gospel of Jesus, intact and unchanged.

“…Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”

“Together” means the unity which leaves no room for dissention. They must stand as one against all opposition, from outsiders who hate them and from insiders who try to distort the gospel.

This unity is not only essential in every fellowship but a powerful barrier against the enemy’s intrusion.

The deep, inward, unifying power, which the Holy Spirit accomplishes in them, can only happen as each believer is committed to Jesus first and then to loving submission to one another under Jesus’ authority, but, said Paul, every person plays a part in preserving this unity.

Ephesians 4:3-6 NLT
[3] “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. [5] There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”

Unity can be disrupted by just one dissenter, either practising sin or distorting the truth of the gospel. Therefore, “strive together” are the operative words. Each person must constantly take stock of his/her life first and tenacious cling to what is good in life and doctrine.