Shine for God

Shine for God

Philippians 2:14,15

 

A little old lady walked into a department store one day and was surprised when a band began to play and an executive pinned an orchid on her dress and handed her a crisp $100.

 

She was the store’s millionth customer. Television cameras were focused on her and reporters began interviewing her.

 

Tell me,” one asked, “just what did you come here for today?

 

The lady hesitated for a minute and then sheepishly answered,

 

I was on my way to the Complaint Department.

 

What if there had been a secret video camera recording your life this past week, how much grumbling would have been captured on film? 

Maybe you even came to church like that lady went to the department store, ready to air your complaints or to give someone a piece of your mind.

But God meets you at the door and pins His Word on you:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent,

 a child of God above criticism in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as a light in the world.

 

Paul did not want the Philippians to live like the children of Israel.

The children of Israel were filled with grumbling and disputing with almost every move they made.

Before they could get out of Egyptian bondage good, they were grumbling at the Red Sea. They asked Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?

Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt" (Exodus 14:11)

Complaining denies God’s sovereignty

Complaining disrupts unity

Complaining discredits our testimony

Grumbling and disputing are sins of the character

These sins grow out of discontentment.

We grumble and dispute when things are not working out as we planned them.

If we grumble and dispute often enough, these two things will become habits.

 

Paul rather wants us to fulfil our place as lights in the world:

Lights are used to make things evident.

Lights are used to guide.

Lights are used as a warning.

Lights are used to bring cheer.

Lights are used to make things safe.

 

Paul knew that the lights were in a bad place.  

Instead of excusing the lights for not shining, Paul knew that their position made it all the more important that they shine.

Being in a dark place is a greater incentive to shine.

Let us not look inwardly, rather, let us look outwardly towards the greater work God has entrusted in our hands.

 Do not dispute with God; let Him do what seems good to Him.

Do not dispute with your fellow Christians; do not raise railing accusations against them.

 

When Calvin was told that Luther had spoken ill of him, he said, “Let Luther call me devil if he please; I will never say of him but that he is a most dear and valiant servant of the Lord, Let us hold this as our attitude. 

 

Let us Pray:

Dear Lord, help us not be grumbling, complaining, looking to find fault, rather let us work together towards the mandate given to us to reach the people in the dark. In Jesus Name. Amen.