Philippians 2:14-16
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.“ Philippians 2:14-16 NIV
Our words reflect our hearts. The first step in combatting a complaining attitude is to control what we allow our minds to focus on. This means taking every thought captive. The world is watching to see if what we say we believe is reflected in how we live our lives. Our purpose in the here and now is to reflect Christ to a world that is desperately searching for a Savior.
As we run this amazing race of life for God’s glory, we have an opportunity to show the world the difference Christ makes in us through our love, actions, choices, and speech.
This world will disappoint us, try to defeat us, and discourage us to no end. But we are not made for this world, and so our source of joy is not found here either. When we view our earthly home as temporary, we are free to hold this world loosely, knowing heaven is coming. Instead of allowing complaints and arguments to waste our time, may we choose to focus our minds on ways to be a light in this world to a generation who desperately needs Jesus.
Keep in mind what Paul has just been talking about. He urged the Philippians to adopt the mindset, attitude, and stance of Jesus, the one who gave up all for the sake of love, for us. More than that, Paul urged them to accept God's invitation to be loved, renewed, and transformed.
And now he's encouraging them to remember who they are not: children of the world, with no hope but to run after acceptance by fitting in, by doing whatever everyone else is doing simply because everyone else is doing it.
And so he invites them to be different because they are different, adopted and blessed by God and intended to shine like stars by their willingness to share love when the world says hold back. To work for peace when the world urges war, and to seek reconciliation when the world wants to divide everyone into sides.
God, in His wisdom, knows that patient endurance, humility of heart, and a soul that trusts in the Lord, does not spring forth from a stress free life. It is the out working of a man or woman who has received God’s sufficient grace to face any temptation or trial which may happen along the way.
Paul knew that a Christ like character is not birthed from a bed of ease. Blameless integrity and spiritual maturity takes many long years, if not a lifetime, to fully develop as one is tried like silver or honed in a millstone of suffering. God uses the storms, sadness, disappointments, and dangers of everyday life, as well as the difficult people that cross our path, to conform us into the likeness of Christ.
Let us, therefore, resist the temptation to enter into murmurings and disputes with one another. Let us trust the Lord in all things so that our lives will be a living sacrifice that becomes, to Him, a sweet fragrance. We will become blameless and pure children of God, without fault in this warped and crooked generation.
Be different because we are different. Be different because we are God's beloved children. Be different to make me, Paul, proud. Be different because you might inspire others to be different too. Be different, finally, because you can!!!
Father, thank you for this day and Your amazing grace that it holds. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family's portion today. Lord, we thank you for calling us to be a place of light in the dark world around us and we pledge to shine Your light today in the lives of all. Lord, remind us of who we are - Your beloved and oh so different children, created in Your image and destined to shine like stars as we share Your love for the world. Lord, let Your light shine bright and light a path to You to those that are lost in the darkness of this world.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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