Paul said in Philippians 1:27-30
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”
I like this statement, “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
This is a mentality that comes from a certain perspective. Paul was opposed a lot, and this was because he went all over trying to help people see the the law and the prophets spoke of Jesus. This concept of not being afraid of opposition is fun. To not be afraid of people’s opposition is to see clearly what this life is. Your priorities change inside of this perspective. What you value, hold dear, what you chase after is different than it once was inside of this perspective.
This perspective comes with identity, purpose and vision. In Jeremiah 1:5-8 God said,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.”
Not being afraid is the byproduct of purpose and promise. God told Jeremiah that he was sending him to the nations and his assignment was to speak to the people whatever God wanted to say. This was purpose. Then God said don’t be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you. You will be opposed, but don’t worry about it, I will deliver you. That is promise.
Paul says in Acts 20:22-24,
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” That kind of statement comes from a deep belief that there is more to this life than it can seem. This mentality comes from a continual communion with God. These weren’t just empty words, these were words that came from action. He went to Jerusalem even though everybody tried to persuade him not to go. But to Paul, it didn’t make any sense to be afraid for his body’s sake. He had an assignment that brought about a reward that far outweighed any temporary suffering.
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” Philippians 3:7-15