For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him (Philippians 1:29)

by Brian Shilhavy
Editor, Health Impact News

Paul’s letter written to the believers in the Roman city of Philippi in the First Century and recorded in the Bible, was written from prison where Paul was incarcerated at the time.

Not only did Paul not consider his imprisonment negative, he stated that the truth about Jesus was spreading even more in the area because of his imprisonment, and that it gave courage to others to take a stand for the truth.

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Good News. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (Philippians 1:12-14)

To understand how Paul used the term “Good News” or “Gospel,” please see:

Who are the Children of Abraham?

Paul made it very clear that true faith in Jesus Christ, which puts us at odds with the world system run by Satan, would result in suffering, as suffering is our calling as true disciples of Jesus Christ.

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 one spirit, contending as one man 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 on 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. (Philippians 1:27-30)

A true disciple of Jesus will always suffer from not participating in the sins of the Satanic world system.

Peter taught this same truth as Paul did:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (1 Peter 4:12-14)

This truth, for the most part, is not taught in American Christianity today.

If a member of a Christian church is arrested and incarcerated today, or if the state takes away their children and accuses them of neglecting or abusing their children, in almost every case the Church will side with the State, and just assume that the church member did something wrong that deserved punishment (e.g. to refuse vaccines for your children).

That’s why I have spent time publishing articles for the past couple of years explaining that it is OK to leave the corporate churches, and if you have children, it is probably necessary to do so, because most all of the American churches today are “Synagogues of Satan.”

Synagogue of Satan: Why It’s Time to Leave the Corporate Christian Church

One of the prevailing beliefs in American Christianity today is that politicians can save us and defeat the evil that is in our culture, if we just believe the right things and elect the right people.

But that philosophy is found nowhere in the Scriptures.

The only one prophesied who will eventually defeat the evil in this world, is Jesus Christ, at his second coming.

For those who believe and wait for him, our destiny is to suffer, and in our suffering, to stand firm as a testimony of our faith.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then… (Ephesians 6:10-14)

Will you be still standing in your faith with the evils that are about to descend upon this current culture, or will you fall because your faith is too weak?

Those who called themselves “believers” in Jesus when the COVID deception came did not do too well. This is a song that was written and produced by “Christian” music artists during COVID, that promoted a Satanic response to the COVID demonic deception.

I like listening to “Christian” music because most of the time it is based on biblical themes that can lift my mood, but when I heard this song on Christian radio stations, I had to turn it off immediately, because the message is actually Satanic.

It premiered May 4, 2020, and now has over 18.5 million views on YouTube, where they wrote:

Filmed in quarantine in our homes during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. ‘TOGETHER’ with Kirk Franklin + Tori Kelly. So grateful to all 2000 of you who lent us your stories and voices to make this music video possible.

Isn’t “Filmed in quarantine” and “TOGETHER” a contradiction in statements??

The chorus, which sticks in one’s mind if you choose to listen to it, is: “We will fall together.”

This song so clearly contradicts what the Bible teaches, and is clearly Satanic.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (Psalms 91:5-7)

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (2 Peter 1:10)

I grew up in the 1970s, and the age of Rock n’ Roll and rebellion, with songs like Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in Wall” written by Roger Waters that stated:

We don’t need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher, leave them kids alone
Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!

All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall
All in all, you’re just another brick in the wall.

It was a reflection of the culture of the younger generations at that time, that recognized our culture was corrupt.

My generation was the generation that took to the streets to protest the Vietnam war, and some of us gave up our lives to do so, such as the students at Kent State.

If they had tried to pull this COVID lockdown bullcrap in the 1970s, there is no way we would have complied and all stayed home, singing about how we “will all fall together.”

Pink Floyd would have probably made a new album about it, telling the health tyrants where they could stick their masks and vaccines, in the place where the sun doesn’t shine.

When I experienced the Spiritual Rebirth in 1979, I grew tired of a lot of the lyrics in Rock n’ Roll that glorified drugs and sex, and found other artists in “Christian Rock,” or “Contemporary Christian Music,” and much of that music carried forth the rebellion of our generation, but from a more biblical viewpoint.

This was one song that was popular in the 1980s by Russ Taft, that was titled: “We will Stand.”

It is not as popular, and only has about 80k views since being published on YouTube in 2018.

Notice how different the lyrics are in this 1980s song compared to the one by King and Country in 2020 above:

Sometimes it’s hard for me to understand
Why we pull away from each other so easily
Even though we’re all walking the same road
Yet we build dividing walls between our brothers and ourselves

But I, I don’t care what label you may wear
If you believe in Jesus you belong with me
The bond we share is all I care to see
And we can change this world forever
If you will join with me, join and sing

Oh you’re my brother, you’re my sister
So take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes
There’s no foe that can defeat us
When we’re walking side by side
As long as there is love we will stand.

The mark of a true believe in Jesus Christ, as written in the Bible, is NOT what political or religious views you hold, or which politician you support.

No, the mark of a true believer, is how much they love others.

And as Paul wrote in his letter to the believers in Philippi, Jesus is our supreme example.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:1-15)

Related:

How to Determine if you are a Disciple of Jesus Christ or Not

Published on June 10, 2023