Philippians 2:15b; Shine On

“Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” 

Allow me to rephrase this thought since it includes last week’s passage. 

You will be blameless and pure when you do everything without grumbling or arguing.  Then you will shine like stars in the sky amidst the darkness of this warped and crooked generation as you hold firmly to the word of life.

Okay, that was harder than I thought it was going to be.

We are called to be salt and light.  No, we aren’t “called to be”…that implies that we can choose not to be.  We ARE salt.  We ARE light.  We don’t have a choice; we cannot take a day off or choose not to be salt and light. 

As a follower of Christ, you are either salty salt or salt that has lost its flavor.  You are either a light that shines or a light that is hidden under a bushel (no!). 

We will shine like stars when our lives are noticeably different than the actions and attitudes of the world.  The world may like it…and they might not.  Regardless, to follow Christ means that we will live counter to the culture around us.

• The world says look at for number one, Jesus says to consider others more important than yourself. 
• The world says to squash your enemies, Jesus says to love your enemies. 
• The world says hurry, the Lord says wait. 
• The world says it’s great to be served, the Lord says serve others.
• The world says get all you can now, Jesus says store up for yourself treasure in heaven.

If we are following Jesus, our lives will look significantly different than those who don’t follow Jesus.  Being different is noticeable and often causes people to ask, “Why are you different?” That gives you an opportunity to share Christ with them.

If nobody is asking you that question, perhaps your life doesn’t look much different than everyone else…or you are so separate from the world that they can’t see your light.  Being in the world, but not of the world is a hard balance to strike…

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3

Philippians 2:14-15; Complaints

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, (15) so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

Grumbling.  Arguing.  Just typing those words wear me out.  We aren’t talking about good natured grumbling to be funny or having a healthy debate.  We are talking about being argumentative and straight up complaining.  I get tired just thinking about being around people like that…

What does complaining and arguing accomplish?  Does it make the situation better?  Does it make whatever you are complaining about go away?  Does it make other people want to help you?  Does it make you pleasant to be around?  Does it draw other people to Christ?  I would answer no, no, no, no, no, and definitely no to those questions. 

Grumbling and being argumentative are useless activities.  I see it in Levi and Wren when they complain about things, their main purpose is to let us know that they are unhappy.  “Things are NOT going my way and I want it changed…and if it can’t be changed, I want everyone to know I am not happy!”  That sounds an awful lot like my spirit when I am complaining or arguing, how about you?

The second part of this passage is a little more uplifting. 

Do you want to be blameless and pure?  Do you want to be a child of God without fault?  Then don’t grumble or complain, or stated positively, be content.  If you understand that God is with you every moment, that he has given you everything that you need and he will take care of you in the future…there is nothing to complain about. 

If you are a grumbler and/or a complainer, I would encourage you to start thinking of all the good things God has given to you.  Thankfulness leads to contentment which will eradicate grumbling and complaining in your life!

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln