When difficult circumstances come our way, sometimes we wonder why God would let such things happen to us. Perhaps we think God is trying to teach us something. We might even commit the error of Job’s friends and imagine that suffering always involves punishment for something we’ve done wrong.

But Paul has a different take on suffering, at least the sort of suffering that we might experience because we have devoted ourselves to the cause of Christ: he says it’s a form of reassurance. Since Christ Himself suffered at the hands of a sinful world, when similar things happen to us, it’s evidence that we are on Jesus’ side.

And this sort of persecution wasn’t just something that Paul and the Philippians went through back in the first century. No, Christians all over the world are today risk being disowned by their families, imprisoned by their governments, or even killed by unbelievers just because they claim the name of Christ. And while we American Christians may not be in such bodily danger, we cannot doubt that our culture is becoming less and less hospitable to those who insist that there is only one way of salvation, and that everyone is obligated to live according to Biblical principles, especially where it comes to marriage.

So, let’s join Paul and the Philippians, standing firm on the good news of salvation by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Let’s live in a manner worthy of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, no matter what opposition may come our way. For in this way we not only demonstrate our unity with Christ, but also with all those who have stood with Him for two thousand years.

Philippians 1:27-30 (NAS)

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 in no way alarmed by your opponents– which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.