Gladiator: Strength and Honor (Philippians 4:8)

"Strength and honor"—the greeting shared between Maximus and his loyal soldiers. Two words that defined their brotherhood and their code. Paul gives the church a similar code: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." In a corrupt Rome ruled by a petty emperor, Maximus and his men chose a different standard. They served something higher than political expediency. Christians live in corrupt systems too. The temptation is to adopt the world's ethics to survive. But we're called to strength—not of arms but of character—and honor that answers to a higher Emperor.