We are judged in how our friends and others see us. We are epistles of God to men! They will see us as a Christian or say if that is Christianity I want no part of that! Paul says this only. Whether Paul was with them of not he wanted their reputation to be one becoming and one of a Christian.

Faithfulness: Our conversation, walk, lifestyle MUST be worthy of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our conversation includes our entire lifestyle. We literally read here "your citizenship." If we are good citizens in the land our walk is to conform to that citizenship of heaven. It dictates how we live our earthly journey here. Our citizenship above all else should translate and reflect our behavior here below. There should be an EQUAL sign between the Gospel of Christ and how we walk! "Let your walk be worthy as the Gospel" Paul says. The Gospel of Christ and His blood is the only entrance into Heaven and our life should be equal to His Gospel! Not just doctrine you understand but doctrine having an IMPACT in our life!!! We will understand that 1- our sin is forgiven and we are delivered from death into a glorious liberty. 2-There is joy on my face for being delivered from such. 3-Jesus has taken His abode in my heart and lives within me and dominates my being! We are no more in our own flesh or the bondage of it and we MUST synchronize our living to what we see, believe, confess, and hear in EVERY aspect of our living!

Courage: It takes courage to be faithful to the Word of God and enact it. Standing fast assumes you are trying to be moved. Their IS opposition!...from our flesh who wants its freedom and from the world as peer pressure builds as everything we hold so dear is trodden under foot with persecution and pressure being applied to the church....even sometimes from within to its shame. He speaks of this in the realm of fellowship. What helps our fellowship? Helping each other in those very things that are under attack! Standing fast with the Gospel to stand fast in the armament of the Gospel! To stand fast together!

Purpose:

1. The glory of God! "To the praise and glory of His grace." Our living must be first to the glory of God.

2. A token of our salvation. When we have an equal sign between the Gospel and our walk we have assurance!

3. God will use it to draw others to Him as He sees fit through us. A very important factor.