“Do all things
without murmurings (complaints) and disputings (arguments): that ye may be
blameless (pure) and harmless , the sons of God, without rebuke (fault), in the
midst of a crooked and perverse (warped) nation, among whom ye shine as lights in
the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of
Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” Philippians
2:14-16 (KJV with SyS inserts)
When I was a boy, my
parents and grandparents talked of “this crooked and perverse” world
we live in. It was very difficult for me to understand how they had arrived at
this conclusion. Honestly, I didn’t then see anything either crooked or perverse
in the world around me.
parents and grandparents talked of “this crooked and perverse” world
we live in. It was very difficult for me to understand how they had arrived at
this conclusion. Honestly, I didn’t then see anything either crooked or perverse
in the world around me.
Over the years,
however, as I have matured in discipleship so has my understanding. Our lives
are to shine like lights in the darkness of our world — a warped world. It is
warped because God is not worshipped. It is warped because God is not served
faithfully. It is warped because God is not accepted, received and believed. It
is warped because Christians complain and argue too much and fail to shine.
however, as I have matured in discipleship so has my understanding. Our lives
are to shine like lights in the darkness of our world — a warped world. It is
warped because God is not worshipped. It is warped because God is not served
faithfully. It is warped because God is not accepted, received and believed. It
is warped because Christians complain and argue too much and fail to shine.
We can of course
complain about that or we can argue about whether it is even an accurate
conclusion. In fact, there is no end of things we Christians can complain and
argue about. Yet, our complaints and arguments only serve to obstruct our
personal relationships as the children of God.
complain about that or we can argue about whether it is even an accurate
conclusion. In fact, there is no end of things we Christians can complain and
argue about. Yet, our complaints and arguments only serve to obstruct our
personal relationships as the children of God.
Oh, that I might
shine for Jesus! Oh, that I might hold forth the word of life that points souls
to Jesus! Oh, that he who won me to Jesus will rejoice in the day of Christ!
Oh, that on that day I will not have run or labored in vain!
shine for Jesus! Oh, that I might hold forth the word of life that points souls
to Jesus! Oh, that he who won me to Jesus will rejoice in the day of Christ!
Oh, that on that day I will not have run or labored in vain!
Dear Father, thank
you for reminding us to let nothing keep us from shining for you. Grant to us
the faith of our fathers that we will hear your commands and faithfully obey
them. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for reminding us to let nothing keep us from shining for you. Grant to us
the faith of our fathers that we will hear your commands and faithfully obey
them. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today shining as lights in the world,
courageous today shining as lights in the world,