The first imperative in this letter sets the stage for all that follows: Conduct your life together as citizens in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27). This has two meanings.

On the one hand, as citizens of Rome, the Philippians are to perform their duties to Rome in the interest of the common good. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.

On the other hand, their ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). The church to which they belong is a colony of heaven in the city of Philippi (Gordon Fee). So they are dual citizens. But their ultimate allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name is higher than the Lord Caesar’s. They must render to God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21).

How then should they live out their heavenly citizenship in the earthly city of Philippi? In a manner worthy of the Gospel. This requires four things:

1. Strive together for the faith of the Gospel. Metaphorically, this means to compete as a team in an athletic contest. The Gospel in Philippi is at stake. Contend for it. Live it out. Share it with others despite the opposition.
2. Stand firm as one in the face of opposition. Unity is tenuous in the Philippian Church (Philippians 1:27, 2:2, 4:2). Paul urges them to set aside their differences and close ranks.
3. Fear nothing from the opposition. Your courage under pressure signals their doom and your salvation (Philippians 1:28). Don’t lose your nerve. Don’t compromise under pressure. Hold your ground.
4. Brace yourself to suffer for Christ. Suffering is not a plague to be avoided. It’s a gift to be received (Philippians 1:29). Just as salvation is a gift, so is the privilege to suffer for the Gospel. And so is the grace to endure all manner of suffering.

This is what it means to live as a colony of heaven in the City of Philippi – as well as in the Republic of Singapore. Stand firm. Close ranks. Strive together. Fear nothing. Brace yourself for pain.

Pray Now

1 Render to Caesar. The Philippians were proud to be Roman citizens.

• Are we proud to be citizens and permanent residents of Singapore? Godly civility is a biblical value. Piety is not opposed to patriotism. Citizenship and permanent residence entail both privilege and responsibility. Pray!
• Are we demanding our rights and soaking up our privileges while shirking our responsibilities? Are we so heavenly-minded that we’re no earthly good? Are we among those who run down our nation and government with disparaging words and disgraceful behaviour? Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Repent. Pledge to speak life and seek the shalom of God for our beloved Singapore.

2 Render to God. As a Colony of Heaven on earth, we have both divine privileges and divine duties. Pray for the Church: In the best of times and the worst of times –

• May we contend as One Team under God, striving side by side for the Gospel to flourish in our city, “Loving Singapore Together, Turning Singapore Godward” — region by region, zone by zone, block by block, family by family, person by person.
• May we be a community of wise and winsome bridge-builders for the Gospel. The Singapore Census 2020 shows an increase in the number of people without religion. Be they atheists, agnostics, free thinkers, humanists, or skeptics, they make up 20% of our population.
• May we the Church be our government’s best ally in fulfilling the mission of MOE: “to mould the future of our nation by moulding the people who will determine our future”. Watch and pray: Christian teachers are dwindling in number. We see a declining interest among our young to serve in Education and School. This is partly because parents are pushing them to pursue other professions. Without the continuous renewal and regeneration of godly, principled, and dedicated teachers who regard education as a divine calling, Singapore will be poorer. Dear Gen Z, open your heart to teaching as a Kingdom assignment. Let God use you to mould lives that will shape the future of our nation.

3 Resist the devil. Watch and pray: There are subtle but serious threats to the progress of the Gospel in Singapore. Affluence breeds complacency and indifference. Hi-tech without hi-touch disconnects and hollows out a community. Pray for discernment and courage to expose, restrain, and destroy every evolving threat lurking in our city.

4 Revere God. Thanks to the Religious Harmony Act, it’s hard to imagine religious persecution in Singapore. We must, however, brace ourselves for ideological opposition arising from contemporary fault lines such as LGBTQ. Pray that, amid the polarisation, we will fear God, not man. We will close ranks, stand firm, and stay true to God’s blueprint for gender and sexuality, marriage and family. We will not cower, flinch or dodge. We will pray, trusting God for wisdom to contribute penetrating insight and provocative foresight – for our nation’s long-term good.  

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