“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27)
We have recently seen from the Scriptures that every believer is an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5) But the question we need to ask ourselves is - are we faithfully representing our Lord and Master in this world that is not our home? After all, an ambassador who is sent by his government to another country is expected to speak and conduct himself on behalf of his own nation. He cannot speak and live however he wishes. He is in the employ of his sending nation.
As Christians, we represent the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are in His employ in order to represent Him which is all bout spreading the good news of the gospel. Why? Because it’s only by and through the gospel that earthly people can become heavenly people. It’s only by and through the gospel that sinners can become saints, made fit for God’s heavenly Kingdom.
So our job, our vocation as ambassadors for Christ is vital. And the message of the gospel in all its purity according to Scripture must be told exactly how it is! But that’s not all. Though words of witness in the gospel are necessary, they will only have weight if our lives affirm it truth. Our lives must also tell the story!
In other words our every day conduct and actions need be in line with what we preach. The two must be in sync because no matter how eloquent and persuasive our words may be, they will be the words of a hypocrite, if our conduct is not “worthy of the gospel.” People read our actions before they read what we say!
Or as Phillip Brooks once wrote: “The man who lives right, and is right, has more power in his silence than another has by his words.”