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I. WE HAVE A DUTY. We are citizens of no mean city (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:23). What an unspeakable privilege; our duty is to act up to it (Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

(1) Let it be seen in your life that you are men of other principles than those of the world.

(2) By acting on other principles than those of ambition, ease, selfishness.

(3) By being men of other habits (Philippians 3:18-19) — unworldly, spiritual: in the home, in business, etc.

2. Remember that the glory of the gospel is connected with the conversation of its professors. A treasure is entrusted to you; do not tarnish it, lose it, barter it.

II. SOME PARTICULARS OF OUR DUTY SPECIFIED. "That ye stand fast." It is easy for a man to be obstinate and head strong in maintaining his own opinions; but the difficulty is for a man to stand fast in the gospel, viz. —

1. In one spirit — a steady union of affection (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:46), without jarring or discord.

2. In one spirit for the common faith. When a man's opinion about the things of the world is attacked, how ready he is to defend it, but what a cold indifference there is about Christian principles.

III. THE DESIRE EXPRESSED FOR THIS GOSPEL CONVERSATION. "Only." Paul seems to have lost sight of other themes — only let me see this, and I shall be happy. This was comprehensive of everything else.

(T. Woodroffe.)

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KJV: 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;

WEB: Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;