Passage
Do everything without grumbling or arguing about differences
of opinion. In this way you can be children
of God who are blameless and innocent – without blemish in the midst of a bent
generation. Among that generation you
shine as lights in the world while holding fast to the Word of God. This will enable me to be proud in the Day of
Christ knowing that I did not lack results in my running or labor. Even if I should be poured out as a drink
offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and
rejoice. Likewise, you all should be
glad and rejoice with me.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Paul tells the Philippians that they are to be blameless
children of God. They aren’t to argue
about differences of opinion or grumble against one another. The work of the kingdom is far too important
to spent time grumbling or arguing about the small stuff! What matters is that Jesus Christ is brought
to the world. We are blameless when we
are focused on God’s agenda and not sweating the individual agendas of mankind.
Why do human beings like to get entangled in the differences
of opinion? Why do we need proverbs like
“Don’t sweat the small stuff?” Under
this definition of “child of God,” how do you fit? Are you blameless and innocent or are you
focused on the wrong things?
Second Thought:
The word that Paul uses to
describe the current generation is “bent” – skolios (σκολιός).
It is the root word for the name of the disease we call scoliosis. It means bent or crooked. Just like a person with scoliosis has a bent
or crooked spine, Paul calls the generation one that is bent or crooked. The generation is not lining up as they
should. They are not living up to the
standards of God as they should. They
are not even coming in repentance as they should. This world is bent – skolios – on its own
agenda.
Where do you see an indication
that the world is bent on its own agenda?
Where do you see the world’s agenda bending your life away from God?
Third Thought:
As Paul ends this section he speaks about pride in the Day
of the Lord. It is easy to hear this and
say, “Wait, isn’t pride a bad thing?”
Think about it. What is it that
Jesus Christ has called us to do? First
and foremost we are to make disciples.
What are the Philippians if not evidence that Paul has submitted to God
and is following his Lord? He can have
pride in that there are people who have a true relationship with God. Doing God’s work should always evoke a sense
of pride for us.
In what part of God’s work do you take pride? What is it about the discipleship process that
keeps our human ego in check?
Fourth Thought:
Paul also talks about rejoicing in the midst of suffering. He makes the comment that he might be poured
out like a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of their faith. In other words, Paul is saying, “I might die
because I made disciples of Jesus Christ.”
And then he turns around as says that he will rejoice. He turns around and tells the Philippians to
rejoice with him. What a statement of
faith!
What does it say to you that Paul is able to rejoice over
his potential death? Would you be
willing to die for your faith? Would you
be willing to encourage other people to rejoice in your death should you die
for the faith? In what way is this
perhaps one of the more challenging portions of scripture in its application to
our life?
Passage for Tomorrow: Philippians 2:19-21
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