Philippians 2:12-30
Thursday, 22 June 2023
Do all things without murmurings and questionings… -Phil.2:14[ASV]
“Obey first before you complain,” the well-known military slogan is meaningful and good to be followed in the home and at the workplace. But in our day, it’s doubtful if anyone will immediately obey an instruction without raising at least one question or another. Most often, we may hear an immediate “NO” which not only rejects the instruction totally, but also inevitably originates from a Selfish attitude (2 Tim.3:1-5). Contrary to the world view of living a selfish life, the Word of God urges us to live a selfless life as it is depicted in Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul’s letter to Philippians is filled with the theme of Christian Joy and the first part of Chapter 2 portrays the example of Jesus Christ— the One who was in the form of God but took the nature of a servant, appeared in the human form and became obedient unto the death on the cross (2:6-8). This shows His humility or “Kenosis” (self-emptying) which the author urges the readers that “Let this mind be in you” (2:5). He further explains the exaltation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Our key verse today Phil.2:14 simply states: “Do all things without murmurings and questionings.” The previous verses 12-13 give us the admonition of working out our own salvation until it is completed. Keeping this in mind, the instruction Paul gives is “DO ALL THINGS” without complaining or murmuring! The Holy Spirit communicates to us also on the other hand about “DON’T DO!”- which is murmuring against God. Now that comes from an unthankful spirit and the dispute that comes from a prideful heart and that evil will take away the peace in us and to those who are around us.
Therefore, the act of Obedience through our life will prove and produce certain results in and around our life which we may see through the following verses (v.15-16). We will become:
1. Blameless and harmless: No one can blame us if we are clean and innocent. Jesus said to His Disciples, ”Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt.10:16). Let such character be evident to all.
2. Children of God without blemish: Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” In the midst of a perverse and crooked generation, we as God’s children are to be different in our walk and talk.
3. Lights in the world: Jesus placed us in this world as lights (cf.Matt.5:14) to shine forth His light to those in darkness and bring them to His light. Light dispels darkness, reveals, guides and directs our path.
4. Holding forth the word of life: As Peter declared, Jesus has the words that give eternal life (John 6:68), we too can as we have experienced it. We hold on to the words of the Lord that guide and steer us through this world every day.
The remaining verses of the chapter once again encourages us through the examples of two lives— Timothy an unselfish and obedient disciple (2:19-24) and Epaphroditus, one who exhibited a self-sacrificial and hard working lifestyle (2:25-30). The list of examples we can have from the word of God and in history are many. Today as an obedient child, through our lives let us stand as an example in midst of a perishing world to glorify God alone.
May we hold on the word of life of Christ and like a light house guide many to reach the shore of eternity safely in being His witnesses in the world.
Listen: 'Let the lower light be burning'