Today's Scripture
Question #21 Philippians 2:14-16
– Do I grumble or complain constantly?
14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. 16 It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
RJ's Devotion
As we start 2017, we wanted to examine the 22 questions of John Wesley. He challenged his followers to ask these rigorous self-examining questions, as they walk toward holiness. For the next four weeks, we will examine each question, daily. Also, I encourage you to read the ‘One Year Bible Reading Plan’ suggested by Bishop Sharma Lewis.
What the passage says
V. 14-15 Be an example in the world. Instead of murmuring or arguing, be faithful to your responsibility, and see how your actions change the world.
V. 16-17 For us to enduring in faithfulness in the world, Paul emphasizes that we need to hold onto the word of God.
What does the passage say to me/us?
Eugene Peterson describes this world as, ‘this squalid and polluted society.’ I am not trying to condemn the world, which our views become polarized. However, we do have to see how the world views can distort our lifestyle. When we are too influenced by the world, we lose the power to become a changing agent.
The reason why we grumble, most of the time, happens when things do not work the way we think or want. That is why grumbling is prevalent among us. However, following Jesus means that we learn how to let go of our own thoughts. We continue to seek God’s will, instead of our own, and in that process, we learn patient and humility.
When we intentionally seek God’s will, it helps us to accept the situation. It may still bother us, but we learn how to maintain in joy, or commit ourselves not to grumble, as we wait for God’s will to be revealed.
As Paul says, it is not easy. That is the reason why we have to root ourselves in the Word. The word and the everlasting promise gives us the reason to live in a counter-cultural manner. When the time comes, we will see, like Eugene Peterson describes, how our obedience works. He says, “Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night, so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing” (v. 14-16 The Message).
Prayer
Lord, have mercy on us, as we live in this world. Help us to become a fresh air to the world, shining the hope that comes from you. Be with us today, In Christ name, we pray, AMEN
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