Do Everything Without Complaining
PHILLIPIANS 2:12-18
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15so 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
16as 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.
17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
2: 12 “ Therefore” ties this verse to the previous section. “Work out your salvation,” in light of the preceding exhortation to unity, may mean that the entire church was to work together to rid themselves of divisions and discord. The Philippian Christians needed to be especially careful to obey Christ now that Paul wasn’t there to continually remind them about what was right. We, too, must be careful about what we believe and how we live, especially when we are on our own. In the absence of Christian mentors who hold us accountable, we must focus our attention and devotion even more on Christ so that we won’t be sidetracked.
2: 13 What do we do when we don’t feel like obeying God? He has not left us alone in our struggles to do his will. He wants to come alongside us and be within us to provide help. God gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases him. We find the secret to a changed life when we submit to his control and let him work in and through us. In our struggle against temptation, we must ask God to help us both do his will and desire to do his will.
2: 13 To change our desires to be more like Christ’s, we need the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1: 19), the influence of faithful Christians, obedience to God’s Word (not just exposure to it), and sacrificial service. Often it is in doing God’s will that we gain the desire to do it (see 4: 8-9). Do what he wants and trust him to change your desires.
2: 14-16 Why are complaining and arguing so harmful? If all that people know about a church is that its members frequently argue, complain, and gossip, they get a false impression of Christ and the gospel. Belief in Christ should unite those who trust him. If people in your church often complain and argue, they lack the unifying power of Jesus Christ. Stop arguing with other Christians and complaining about people and conditions within the church; instead, patiently work on your issues and let the world see Christ.
2: 14-16 Our lives should be characterized by moral purity, patience, and peacefulness, so that we will shine “like stars” in a dark and depraved world. A transformed life effectively demonstrates the power of God’s Word. Are you shining brightly, or are you clouded by complaining and arguing? Don’t let dissensions snuff out your light. Shine out for God until Jesus returns and bathes the world in his radiant glory.
2: 17 The drink offering was an important part of the sacrificial system of the Jews (for an explanation, see Numbers 28: 7). Because this church had little Jewish background, the drink offering may refer to the wine poured out to pagan deities prior to important public events. The point is that Paul regarded his life as a sacrifice.
2: 17 Even if he had to die, Paul was content, knowing that he had helped the Philippians live for Christ. When you’re totally committed to serving Christ, sacrificing to build the faith of others brings a joyous reward.Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible
ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and in all you do do it with out complaining and do it as you were doing it for CHRIST.
onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS