Today’s Bible reading is Philippians 2 and right in the middle of it, the Holy Spirit issues a challenging directive to disciples of Jesus: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Phil 2:14).
To grumble is “to murmur in discontent; to complain sullenly.” It’s the opposite of gratitude, and gratitude is exactly where Paul seeks to draw our attention in the first 13 verses of Philippians 2.
- There is encouragement in Christ
- There is comfort from love
- By God’s grace, you can be participants in the Spirit
- Your lives can be reshaped by affection, sympathy, and joy
- Christ is enabling us to be of the same mind, having the same love
- We can be set free from the shackles of selfish ambition and conceit
- As members of the body of Christ, we are looking out for the interests of each other
- Christ Jesus has already paved the way, taking the form of a servant
- He became obedient to the point of death on a cross … for me
- At the name of Jesus, every knee is eventually going to bow
- With fear and trembling, I can now work out my own salvation
- God is at work within me, both to will and to work for his good pleasure
Therefore, why would I grumble? Given so much, why would I allow my heart to settle in the mire of complaint? In the light of his love, why would I waste time murmuring? Is discontentment what my mind should really be set upon?
I have so much to be grateful for! Therefore, I resolve to meet the challenge:
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… (Phil 2:14-16)
It’s quite the challenge, but a challenge that we as children of God should step up to today. Let’s shine as lights in this world by doing all things without grumbling or disputing.