Philippi was a proud Roman colony, where the people openly celebrated Caesar as their savior and lord. The marketplace clanged with imperial coins. Army veterans settled there, rewarded for their service with land and citizenship. To live in Philippi was to belong to Rome. As a Roman citizen writing from Caesar's prison, Paul knows the cost of calling Jesus "Savior and Lord." If he could only have one passport, he wanted the one that said, "Kingdom of God." I recently talked to a friend at church who told me that following Jesus meant supporting our President. I responded that our ultimate allegiance had to be for Jesus, even if that meant losing a vote. He told me I was out of line. I knew that speaking up risked damaging the relationship, but I couldn't stay silent. Paul shows us a different way. He wants the Philippians to stand firm with the Holy Spirit, not the imperial army. They'll forfeit the protection of Rome's legions, but gain the armor of God. He pictures them like a Roman phalanx. But instead of raised shields and drawn spears, their only defense is, "Jesus is Lord!" When persecution comes, like enemy soldiers on the attack, they won't desert each other. An army without weapons will look reckless to their opponents, but Paul sees their fearlessness as the evidence that God is on the move. He trusts they will receive suffering like the gift that it is. Paul was beaten before their eyes in the forum at Philippi (see Acts 16). He isn't asking them to suffer while he sits on the sidelines. He's saying, "The price is worth it. This is God's gift to us. The persecution will unify us, purify us, and make us like Christ. What more could we want?"