“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”
Philippians 2:14-15
We saw yesterday that the Book of Philippians is filled with commands to be joyful in suffering. And to be joyful always. Today’s verse echoes that theme as the Spirit of Christ, through Paul, commands us to do everything without complaining or arguing. That means everything. Paul was writing to the congregation at Philippi who were facing enormous hardship, and the temptation to murmur or grumble must have been great. The apostle was not so much scolding Christians for their sour attitudes; rather, he had a bigger picture and purpose in mind…
Evangelism. Paul’s heart — and the heart of Christ — was focused on wooing others into the kingdom. His passion was for the salvation of the crooked and depraved generation in Philippi. Paul wanted the power of God to be showcased to those lost in darkness. By not grumbling, we become “blameless and pure” before others. No one can point a finger. This shakes a skeptic to the core. Nothing makes a scornful, cynical world sit up and take notice of God more than when it observes believers actually rejoicing in their hardships, without a hint of complaint.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may…shine like stars in the universe.” Paul’s unswerving focus in Philippians is evangelism. Every admonishment, warning, counsel and instruction is always for the purpose of somehow reaching others for Christ. Think of how complaints or grumblings may have diminished your witness to those around you. You will shine like a star in a dark world as today you put behind you any grumblings or murmurings.
Lord Jesus, for the sake of Your gospel, for the sake of the advancement of Your kingdom, for the sake of this crooked generation in which I live, please convict me if I complain today.
