Live the Gospel (Part 2)
It ain’t much, but it’s honest work
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Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that — whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent — I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel
Philippians 1:27 (NET)
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How do we conduct ourselves in this manner?
I once heard a great quote from Hudson Taylor (a missionary to Easy Asia in the later 19th century):
“Work as if everything relies on you; pray as if everything relies on God.”
I think that central tension is the overriding theme of the Christian walk. That we would have this real responsibility to do our best, but also have this complete dependence on God.
Put another way:
Be a hard-working farmer.
Paul used this illustration in his later letter to Timothy. Where he talked about how the farmer has a responsibility to till the soil, sow the seeds, work the crops, bring in the harvest, etc. Yet the farmer will yield nothing without good soil and good weather and protection from pestilence & disease.
For there to be an abundant harvest, both parties must work.
The farmer must do his best and God must provide the rest.
Which brings me back to my original question: how do we conduct ourselves in this manner?
By being a hard-working farmer of the fruit of the Spirit.
Yes, it’s the Holy Spirit’s fruit. But also, yes, we have a responsibility to do our best to develop it in our lives.
It’s a wonderful divine tension to life.
And as long as I do my best, and trust God with the rest, then I’m on the path to living a life worthy of the Gospel.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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