SOAP 06/12/2016; Philippians 2:14-16

Today's reading: 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10, 11; Philippians 2

S) "¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain."

Philippians 2:14-16 (NASB)

O) In particular, the command of v.14 and the example at the end of v.15 fit together in a way that just cannot be underestimated. It is part of the human condition to complain. Because our sinful nature has us bent toward entitlement and rebellion, whatever we are doing tends to have a lot of grumbling and disputing to go along with it. Perhaps the most convincing examples, are when we see people doing so while performing tasks that they have chosen to do themselves. Children will certainly balk at chores which are imposed on them, but when a man owns his own business and still he grumbles and disputes while he works, then we see that there is a deeper issue in the hearts of men. But, as our hearts are healed in Christ, from the broken enslavement to sin, we have a new opportunity in Him to be different. By living blameless, innocent, and above reproach, we are shining as beacons in the world. The more the world around us succumbs to their sinful selfishness and self-exaltation, the more that grumbling and disputing is normative, the more our peace is countercultural. Peace is attractive to people who are distraught, even when their distress is self-inflicted. The last verse can almost be broken out into two different concepts, but Paul reminds us that this kind of righteousness is not going to come easily, per se. We must still cling to the word of life, that is Christ (who He is, what He said, what He did). As we do that, relying on the Holy Spirit, we are able to walk above reproach. In the last part of the verse, Paul starts a transition, reflecting these instructions back onto himself. In this case, I don't think he is trying to exalt himself at all (he still emphasizes the day of Christ). Instead, I think he is drawing their focus through the temporal a little bit. He's asking them to use his physical presence, their relationship in the tangible world, as a reminder to do what is right. Sometimes, it is easy to forget the spiritual facets to life. It's easy to get distracted from the eternal, as the temporal world rages around us. Paul is, in a sense, acquiescing to their struggle in this. It's like he's saying, "If for no other reason, be motivated to do it for the sake of my hard work for you." There can be some real benefit to that, because not wanting to disappoint people can be a good motivation, at least on the surface. If it works to change our focus from what our sinful flesh wants, toward the word of Christ, and then to the eternal and spiritual motivations, then remembering that a person may receive shame or be disappointed by our poor reflection of Christ, may still be a very good thing.

A) Working with angry people can be frustrating. It is certainly exhausting, because it sometimes takes real effort and energy, to not become like them. There are many proverbs warning against associating with angry people. Still, there's little I can do to avoid a passive-aggressive, bitter, or complaining coworker, if they work in the same location I do, doing the same work. Lately, it has felt like a particular burden. However, when I read this passage today, I was immediately convicted. I wasn't convicted about grumbling or disputing, or bringing reproach. I was convicted that I haven't been looking at my current situation as ministry opportunity. I was trying to protect my light, instead of letting my light shine like stars. Maybe I won't "rub off" on a grumpy coworker or customer. But, if I can be bold with my peace, bold with my joy, and show that it is the indomitable, indelible mark of a real and holy and good God upon my spirit, then it will glorify God - even if it doesn't happen until the day of Christ.

P) Father, Your grace at work in me is astounding. I am humbled and thankful for it. I'm thankful for what You have done in me, for me. I'm thankful for what it means to my wife, and to my kids. But Lord, I confess that I have been selfish and fearful in a way, with the Your grace at work in my life. I don't want that, Lord. I don't want to insulate my light, for fear that a dark world could hurt me and diminish the light within me. That's not how it works, Father God, and I know that. Help me to be bold with the grace You have shown me! Let my light shine like the stars! Let me keep a smile upon my lips, as I joyfully work the task before me, as I am working for You and seeking to glorify the name of Jesus Christ that I bear. Help me to keep my mind on the gospel, not only for my own sake, but especially for the sake of those around me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.