（腓立比書Philippians 1:27-30）
一個人的言談舉止應該與他的身份相稱。日本人在重要的社交場合上，都喜歡穿上傳統和服，因為他們以作為日本人而自豪。在保羅的時代，羅馬人無論到那裡，都會活出羅馬人的身份和尊嚴來。保羅勸勉腓立比的信徒，在生活的言談舉止上，要活出耶穌基督的門徒和天國公民的身份和尊嚴。
保羅在這一點上可以成為腓立比信徒和我們的榜樣，因為他不以作耶穌基督的門徒為恥（羅1:16）。保羅在所到之處都公開地傳講福音，也預備為所信的道和作為基督徒而受苦。
基督徒在當時的社會中要活出天國公民的身份，會惹來壓力甚至逼害。因此，保羅要求腓立比信徒在教會生活中保持合一的生活，在所信的真理上站立穩固，並在面對外在壓力時勇敢剛強。
保羅在要求別人的時候，不忘提醒他們，他也和他們一起同受挑戰與壓力，所以他明白他們的處境。保羅要把他得勝的秘訣告訴他們，這得勝的力量就是神的恩典和信徒的團契生活。
經文默想
請你嘗試把第二十七節用在自己的日常生活中，思想如何才能在行事為人上與基督的福音相稱。
One’s lifestyle and conduct should reflect one’s identity. Japanese loves to put on their traditional outfits in some important public events for they are proud of being Japanese. During the New Testament times, the Romans were traveling everywhere but they kept their Roman lifestyle and carried with their national pride. Paul exhorted the Philippians’ brethren to have the lifestyle that would reflect their identity as Christ followers and the dignity of the kingdom citizenship.
Paul’s life was shown to be the example for the Philippians, for he was not ashamed of being the disciple of Jesus (Romans 1:16). Wherever Paul went, he publicly proclaimed the gospel, and was ready to suffer for his faith and Christ.
At that time Christians would receive pressure and even persecution if they wanted to live the kingdom lifestyle. Therefore, Paul urged the brethren in Philippi to keep themselves in fellowship with the spirit of unity, and stand firm in faith, to allow them to be strong enough to take challenges from outside.
When Paul exhorted them to live a kingdom lifestyle, he also reminded them that they were not alone to face all those pressure and challenge for he had been struggling all along in the past. Therefore, Paul knew what they were facing and wanted to tell them the secret of overcoming hardships, which was the strength from God’s grace and Christian fellowship.
Meditation on the Scripture
Please use verse 27 in your daily life, and think of ways to live a life worthy of the gospel.
