4. Practice rejoicing vs 18
People’s negative attitudes can be disgusting, frustrating and hindering. Unless you have died to self, you will find yourself being repulsive toward those who show these negative attitudes. But, like Paul, make a choice to rejoice whatever people do. If people do well, rejoices, if they show wrong attitudes or actions, choose to rejoice in that God is able to use that for His glory and your good. Rejoice in that the Supreme and Omnipotent is always on the side of the upright to work all things for their good. If you want to continue to do good and please God, you must follow this example, otherwise you will be stopped by the godlessness of some. It is also a good medicine to the soul, when it rejoices. Many have become sick and diseased because of unhealthy feelings. It is destructive. Ask God for strength to rejoice especially when people falter or fail to do what is right.
5. Project Christ vs 20-21
The Christian life is all for the honor of Christ and him alone. Nothing else should be the focus. Christ must be seen in all we do and say. This is the true Christian experience. Resolve to let Christ work in you and through you. It is always a choice and nothing automatic. You have to choose daily to allow Christ to be seen in you in the way you speak or act. It is a warfare. The enemy of your soul will fight with all his arsenals- negative pictures, thoughts and words will be thrown at you to keep you from shinning Christ. You must ask for strength of the Holy Spirit to say ‘no’ to the enemy. All those bodily cravings and fleshly appeals are nothing but the enemy’s darts to deny you the testimony of full life in Christ. Stand and resist the enemy and you will be able to make excellent choices that will bring glory to God and Christ.
6. Practically demonstrate the Gospel vs 27
There are lifestyles that do not align with the Gospel. There are lifestyles that do not show that one belongs to Christ. As the Scriptures say, there are things that adorn the Gospel. This means that there are lifestyles that make the Gospel sensible and reasonable to people. There are those that it look bad. You can’t be known for corrupt practices and at the same time declare Christ. It is like a source of water bringing out pure and dirty water at the same time. It is confusing and appalling. A life must align to one thing and be known for it. That is how Christ must be know through us. Your confession of Christ in the Gospel must not be mixed with other unacceptable or degrading practices. Let the purity and power of the Gospel be revealed through your life.
7. Participate in suffering vs 30
Suffering for Christ has become categorized among distasteful experiences. In the church today, suffering is not to be mentioned. It is a word that is being fought by those who should exemplify it. Suffering for Christ is no more seen as it was seen and welcomed by the saints of old. Today, it is something ‘followers’ of Christ pray against. Suffering for Christ is not to be mistaken for common suffering. Common suffering is that which befalls all men in this bodily state. Suffering that comes from sickness or disease can be regarded as common. Suffering that comes because of a general social-political failure can be regarded as common. Suffering that comes due to natural disaster is also common. But the one that comes because of righteousness cannot be regarded as common. Suffering for righteousness sake, for Christ sake, for Gospel sake cannot be classified as common. This is the suffering that Paul advocates that we take our share in. To stand for righteousness, or for the Gospel and suffer may not receive worldly applause, but in Heaven, a loud and standing ovation is given.