Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
According to the old English Dictionary, the word “conversation” specifically refers to where a person lives, but more broadly it refers to their manner of life in the place they live. Combining that with our modern use of the word “conversation”, it literally means how are we communicating ourselves to others; that is, how well do we present or communicate ourselves as citizens of where we live? Those who have served in the military are well familiar with the word “become”. All ranks and all positions are continuously trained and taught and disciplined to conduct themselves with behavior that is becoming of one in their rank and position. And, before traveling into a foreign country, there is always a briefing on how to behave in a manner becoming of citizens of the United States of America. Thus, Paul’s exhortation (command with Apostolic authority) to “let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ”; is a Commandment for us to live and behave honorably and with such dedication and faith that our very lives will speak well of “the gospel of Christ”. Said another way, we should be ashamed if someone must ask us if we are a Christian; for, our “conversation” as a Christian ought to be readily apparent by our deportment, our restraint, our kindness, our integrity, our generosity, our strength in faithfulness to the Lord and His Church and Gospel, and our humility. Our behavior must be a living illustration of “the gospel of Christ”. As it was said of “Peter and John”, may our behavior be such that no matter what blessings or trials this life may cast upon us, that “they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13)!