“This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” Philippians 1:28-30
Paul continues his instruction on testing. He now talks about what testing proves in our lives
This is a clear sign Paul knows we are in a warfare and we face a real and determined enemy. He knows that the enemy will be true to
his nature. He tells the church at Philippi that the attacks they face are
evidence. The word “clear sign” is one word meaning a demonstration. The word describes a visible or tangible indication of a deeper truth or reality. It confirms something significant. In fact the sign is twofold. It tells them something significant about their enemy and about themselves.
To them of their destruction First, Paul discusses what these attacks demonstrate about their adversaries. Their attacks are clear and evident proof that they are on the road to destruction. The Lord uses this word in the Sermon on the Mount to describe the destination of those who are on the broad road.
But of your salvation, and that from God Paul then turns to the believers at Philippi. The testing and suffering is important evidence to them as well. It shows they are true children of God.
For it has been granted to you Paul tells them that the suffering they face is a gift from God. The word granted or given means to “show favor or kindness”. Paul yells them to look at the hardship they are facing a different way. It is a gift of God and Paul goes on to explain how that can be.
That for the sake of Christ Paul uses the word “for the sake of” to share the truth that this suffering church is representing the Lord Jesus. The are suffering what the world, the adversary, would like to do to the Lord. Since they cannot reach Him, they attack His followers.
You should not only believe in him Paul tells them that salvation was a gift of God to them. They likely understand that truth from the book of Romans, “It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” But they are not to stop there.
But also suffer for his sake Paul goes further. He equates the suffering that God allows in their lives as the same kind of gift as their salvation. The word suffer means to endure pain, hardship, or distress. This is a special kind of hardship, however, for it is hardship that is suffered because one stands firm for faith in Jesus Christ. This is what the Lord taught in the Beatitudes. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have Paul tells the Philippian believers they are involved in the same struggle he faced (and is now facing). In other words, they should remember Peter’s words “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you”. Attacks from the world are to be expected when one stands firm against the adversary.
What can we learn? Paul tells the Philippians to look at their suffering as Christ does. Suffering for the Lord’s sake is a great honor for they are experiencing the same response the Lord received from those who hate Him. Second, suffering shows their salvation is genuine. Third, their suffering shows a partnership with others of the faith most notably the Apostle Paul himself. The Philippians are not alone. Instead they can “count it all joy” for they belong to God and He to them.