Do everything without complaining 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
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In Philippians 2:14-16, God offers us an amazing description of who we can become. Look at some of the phrases he uses to describe the life offered to each of us.
He says we can be:
– Blameless and pure. Free from guilt and corruption and shame.
– Children of God without fault. Fully involved in the greatest family and the greatest Kingdom in the history of the world.
– Shine like the stars in the sky. So beautiful, so lovely, so captivating.
– Holding firmly to the word of life. Yes, please, may that define the life I live!
These are incredible promises. And I bet, the more you meditate on these promises and internalize them, the more your passion and desire for each of them increases. These words describe the exact life we want to be living.
Interestingly, the Holy Spirit also tells us EXACTLY how to make all these things true.
It is a surprisingly simple (although difficult) instruction: Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Wow, that’s it? Look again at the promise. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become….
It is often, of course, that we are tempted to complain and argue: at home, at work, in our relationships, on social media, in our political conversations.
But God calls us to a higher standard. He tells us to do everything without complaining or arguing. He invites us to trust in His sovereignty and respond with gratitude and patience—every single time.
A difficult posture toward life, for sure. But amazing promises await those who do!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible promises you offer those who follow you. I want you to define me and my life. Reveal to me whenever I am complaining and arguing. And help me to follow your plan fully. Amen.