Tag: Word of Life

28.i. “Shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life”

Philippians 2:14   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

 Numbers 14:27   “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.

 Psalms 106:25    They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD.

 James 5:9  Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 Jude 1:16    These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires;

 Hebrews 12:14    Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

 James 3:18   But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Do all things without complaining and disputing: without criticizing, speaking out against, find fault with, opposing, and objecting to. Without argument, quarreling, conflict, deny, question, doubt, protest against. I have to think Do all things without complaining and disputing, refers to both personal conflicts between us and others, as well as us with God.  It seems no matter how far we go back in time, complaining and disputing between us and other Christians and us with God is a constant.  It can be displayed in both passive and aggressive means, direct confrontation or covert acts, and willfully leading dissension or allowing to be ourselves to be influenced into ungodly thoughts, words, and actions. What amazes me is the skill at which some are able to do this.  They seem to be either speaking out of love but in truth, it is nothing of the kind or they come out throwing hand grenades or a combination of both.

We are to be different, shining lights, rejoicing in Christ.  We should be able to discern both direct and covert, passive and aggressive willful ungodly attitudes, words, thoughts, and actions.  The problem is the world around us is so full of this that it seems to be the way of life.  Far too many Christians are neglectful and complacent in their walk with God.  They are more influenced by the world than they are by the Holy Spirit. This is how and why such things are brought into the church and between brothers and sisters of Christ.  Paul is basically saying you ought to know better than to think, act, and speak this way.  There needs to be an intentional choice made deep in each heart, soul, and mind, that desires and seeks to be ever-present under the influence of the Holy Spirit for the single purpose of honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ.

You meant it for harm

Psalms 119:153  Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!  Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.  Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules.  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.  I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.  Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love.  The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

1 Peter 4:12–16  Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad

Matthew 5:10–12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward

1 Peter 1:6–7  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory

Philippians 2:14–16  Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life…

Trust in the word of God is forged in the real world, a world full of trials, troubles, persecution and those who wish us harm.  “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

One of the most potentially defeating aspects of being a Christian is wanting to be in control when things in and around our lives are out of control.  It seems as though we take aim at that which is troublesome with our own mind, wisdom, power, and strength, when in fact, these trials and troubles are indeed not ours to fight.  On our own and in our own strength we can do little to have lasting victory or any victory at all.  Fear of the unknown outcomes seem to drive us to thinking we need to go it on our own.

God is in control even when things seem so out of control and we fear the unknown future.  And, yet what trumps that fear and evil is knowing that, no matter what comes, God is in control. Waiting for His perfect timing and trusting in Him allows us to confidently say “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Being able to wait on Him is a testimony to faith, trust, hope and reliance in Jesus.    He loves us.  He wants what is best for us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He has plans and purpose for our lives.

Planting and harvesting

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

John 4:34  Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.  Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.  Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.  For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’   I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

Proverbs 11:30    The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.

Daniel 12:3    And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Romans 6:22   But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Philippians 2:15-16    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, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

1 Timothy 4:16    Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

James 5:19    My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,  let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Sometimes we are the planters of the Gospel seed and other times we are the harvesters of all the work of someone else.   Being in God’s fields has satisfying purpose and meaning.  We are able to see seeds being planted and fruit being produced and as well harvest of the fruit.  The point is we need to be in the same field with God – Working in His field rather than just watching His field from the side of the road.  Be in His word, read it, think about it, believe it, speak of it, follow, and obey it. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth”

Innocent as a Dove

Being blameless, innocent, and wise seems to be a huge task if we are at all conscious of ourselves.  To what standard are we to use to compare our actions, intent, and thought?  Do we look at the corrupt world and culture with a longing to be or have part of it?  Do we walk close to it and at times step into the same thoughts and actions?  How are we to keep our heart pure?  Scripture states that out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks.  What is feeding our heart, what we think about, what we find purpose in, will determine the course of our heart, actions, and thoughts.  Having a desire to honor and glorify God along with understanding what His word says and then obeying what He says to your heart – I understand new each day I have only begun to scratch the surface in living for Him.

Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves

Romans 16:19
For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil

Philippians 2:15
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

Jeremiah 4:22
“For my people are foolish;
they know me not;
they are stupid children;
they have no understanding.
They are ‘wise’—in doing evil!
But how to do good they know not