June's Passage: Philippians 2:12-18
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the Word of Life, so that in the Day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. (ESV)
If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.
Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text (see the archive links on the lower right of this page for review). Today we will discuss...
Obey in a Crooked and Twisted Generation
Every choice to either obey Jesus or to follow our temptations into sin never ONLY affect us personally. These choices also affect our fellowship with God. And the passage today tells us, our obedience or disobedience also affects our ability to witness to the watching world.
Within a week of the time this article is being written, nine of our brothers and sisters in Christ were murdered during a prayer meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. While many politicians (on both sides), celebrities, and media outlets used the event to prostitute the painful situation for political gain and ratings and readers, a small band of Christians who were related to the victims took the opportunity to obey the commands of Jesus and the Holy Spirit inspired scriptures.
As a twisted and crooked generation looked on, these family members decided not to seek vengeance, but to leave that to the Lord.
They decided not to repay evil with evil, but instead they blessed and prayed for their enemy.
They did not grieve like those without hope, instead — confident of the eternal safety of their faithful family — they instead showed concern with the state of the assassins’ soul.
In all things, including what will likely be the most difficult time of their life, they loved God and loved others.
Looking at the passage today, we are reminded that Paul’s first readers lived in a troubling time, survival of Christians and the church itself seemed to be at a tipping point in nearly every city where Paul had been.
The Church was at times under threat because of racial and religious persecution. Other times the Church was facing more dangerous enemies — wolves within — who were looking for ways to prop themselves up and take what they could from the family of God.
And through it all, in word, in thought, in deed (action and REACTION), Paul instructed them and us - “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”
You can read the previous article to understand that idea a bit more and to see several God/Us relational reasons to obey without grumbling or disputing. However, Paul also talks about our obedience as a tool for outreach and evangelism.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing so that, “you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
In other words, respond to the brokenness of this world with love, forgiveness and hope so that others might turn to the one who is the reason for your hope.
But we cannot stop there.
Unfortunately, the weight and importance of this passage also shows relevance in another story from the same week. A high profile pastor from a high profile evangelical family had to resign his position this week because of adultery. The same not-yet-believers who were speechless in the face of the forgiving compassion of the victims families now have yet another trophy on their wall of “hypocritical church people” whom they can point out with scorn and scoffing.
But, this pastor isn’t alone, is he? Many of us have not physically committed adultery, but an honest investigation of our lives as seen by the not-yet-believer gives evidence of greed, self-righteousness, lust, selfishness, fear, gossiping, slander, sloth, gluttony and more in our lives as Christians. We are more like the struggling Christian, not the shining lights in Charleston. As this article is written I must admit more sin than Christlikeness in my own heart each day.
Again, we want to put sin to death because of our gratitude to Jesus who died to save us from the wrath due to us for those sins.
We want to put our sins to death in order to maintain a strong fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
But, OH! We must be diligent about putting our sin to death and obeying Christ without grumbling or complaining so that WHEN the crooked and twisted generation looks to us, they will see the bright light of God’s glory as it burns away all of the bondage of sin that we used to be slaves to.
Only when they see us joyfully and increasingly obeying Jesus Christ will we begin to attract them to the truth that is transforming us.
No, we will not do this perfectly. Like too many celebrity pastors and other people we look up to, we will fall and fail and have to be restored. But the goal, every time we encounter the lost should be to shine like stars in the world.
Let’s strive toward that goal together. Let’s admit our brokenness and restore one another when we fall. Let’s do all things without grumbling or disputing so that we can present a better picture of who we are, who we were created to be, and who we will ultimately be because of the loving-kindness of Jesus Christ and His work for us at the cross.
