Shine Christian, Shine!
(or, “God’s Cure for Spiritual Myopia”)
Philippians 2:14-18
Introduction: Our granddaughter just recently got glasses. For some
time we had noticed her squinting to see things in the distance. She was
hesitant about the idea of glasses at first, but when she put on her new
glasses, she just couldn’t stop smiling! She said, “Everything looks so clear!”
Myopia is a common eyesight problem, and figuratively speaking, it is common in
the Christian life as well. We can get so distracted by the struggles of life
in a fallen world that are right in front of us, that we can easily lose sight
of the bigger picture. Paul used that imagery as he prayed for the Ephesians,
16 I do not cease to give
thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of
him, 18 having the eyes of
your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has
called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable
greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his
great might 20 that he worked
in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in
the heavenly places…
Paul is praying for God to cure the spiritual myopia of
his readers, that they might see more clearly the greatness of the salvation they
have in Christ. The ESV translation of our passage for today, Philippians
2:14-18, reads as follows:
14 Do all things without
grumbling or questioning, 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, 16 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. 17
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering
of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be
glad and rejoice with me.
The Maine* Idea: As we recognize God’s
work in us, and begin to grasp our part in His plan, it gives a perspective
that allows us to have joy that goes beyond circumstances. That attitude will
be noticed by the world. So…
I. Stop Whining:
Do everything without complaining or arguing (2:14-15a)! These
verses spell out some implications of how we can begin to work out our
salvation with fear and trembling…
14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and
innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted
generation…
First what we shouldn’t do: murmur
and question (v.14). Another translation says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing..” In hearing that
phrase, if you are familiar with the Old Testament, your mind may go
immediately to Jews in the wilderness, Exodus 16:6 ff.
6 So Moses and Aaron said
to all the people of Israel, "At evening you shall know that it was the
LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD,
because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we,
that you grumble against us?"
8 And Moses said, "When the LORD gives you in the
evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has
heard your grumbling that you grumble against him- what are we?
Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD." 9 Then Moses said to Aaron,
"Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, 'Come near before
the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'"
I guess you get the idea: they grumbled! The Psalmist
characterized the attitude of the people during the wilderness wandering in Psalm
78:40-41,
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the desert! 41
They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
We can think of the nation in the wilderness as an
example of complaining against God, but we dare not stop there. Think about how
easily we can fall into “complaint mode.” We too easily start
complaining or grumbling about even little inconveniences we ourselves
experience… I remember reading of a lady who walked into a major department
store, and
…suddenly the lights started flashing, whistles were
blowing and people came up to her with lights and cameras. She was the one millionth
customer in the store! An interviewer explained what was happening, and asked
her why she came to the store that day. With an embarrassed look, she said, “I
was on my way to the complaint department!”
Oh well! As I read that I thought of how the Scripture says
we are “living letters, seen and read of men…” Let’s not be a letter of
complaint!
Even in writing this letter, Paul is an
example of not grumbling, of having joy that goes beyond his circumstances:
remember, he is in prison! Rather than grumbling
and complaining about his situation or moaning about his adversaries, Paul
is expressing his faith and urges the Philippians to live in the joy that can
be theirs in Christ. Remember he just
pointed to Jesus as our example of humble service (2:3-8). Jesus fulfilled to prophecies of Isaiah 53:7,
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like
a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its
shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”
Paul gives at least one reason to live
differently: our life is a testimony “…that
you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault…” (15).
Our conduct is a testimony to the world. How we react under pressure says
something about the reality of our faith!
One translation captures the sense here when it says “That you may prove yourselves to be…” Our attitude under
pressure speaks!
“…in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” The phrase “crooked and
perverse generation” echoes the language of Deuteronomy 32:5 where God is
describing the stubborn and sinful nation after 40 years in the wilderness,
3 For I will proclaim the
name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God!
4 "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are
justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is
he. 5 They have dealt
corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished;
they are a crooked and twisted generation. 6 Do you thus repay the LORD, you
foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made
you and established you?
Paul deliberately uses
the same pair of words that were used to describe the Jewish nation. He is not
describing the Philippians with that language, but now, as a part of His
church, a mixed church composed of Jews and Gentiles, he is describing the hard
hearts they are encountering in the world around them. This is no news flash
that will shock you: The world is a bad place. You can try to hide from it or deny it or
ignore it, but we are living in the midst of a “crooked and perverse
generation…” Violence, war,
suffering, sickness, injustice and
immorality… it never seems to end.
There was once an understanding of eschatology that has almost died out
today called postmillennialism. The idea
was that the influence of the church would gradually increase until finally a
“golden age” was ushered in, which would continue for a thousand years until
Christ returned to inaugurate the eternal state. I don’t know of any theologians who hold that
view today. History has shown us and
Scripture confirms that things are getting worse, not better. In the last days, perilous times will come…
God has us in the world because He has given us a mission. We are to be salt and light, living
like children of the King, citizens of heaven. We are to look for every
opportunity to proclaim the Good News of salvation by Grace alone through
Faith alone, in Christ alone. As we recognize God’s work in us, and begin
to grasp our part in His plan, it gives a perspective that allows us to have
joy that goes beyond circumstances. That will be noticed by the world.
So, stop whining, and...
II. Start Shining: Jesus said you
are the light of the world (15b-16a)!
“…among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of
life…”
In our position we are called to “…shine as lights in the world…” Jesus used similar imagery in the Sermon on
the Mount when He said in Matthew 5:14-16,
14 "You are the light
of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and
put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the
house. 16 In the same way,
let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
God gets the glory when
we hold fast to His word, and when we hold it forth to the nations. Light
dispels darkness. Light exposes what was hidden in the shadows. Light leads the way. We shine as lights to
the degree that we point people to JESUS, the One who is THE Light of the
world (John 8:12, cf. 9:5). If He is the light, how can we be
described as “shining lights”? The moon shines in the night sky because it reflects the
light of the sun. Without that reflected
light the moon would become lost against the darkness of space. The believer in Christ shines as light in the
world only because of the reflection of Christ’s light. Without that reflected light, the believer
becomes lost in the darkness of the world and sin.
“…holding fast the word of
life
…” Some translations say, “holding forth the word of life…” Both
ideas are true: we hold it fast, and we should hold it forth, since it is the Word
of Life. By the way, it seems in the context that Paul intends us to understand
the participle, “holding” in the instrumental sense. We shine in the world “BY
holding fast/forth the Word…” Perhaps you have memorized Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Paul said in Romans 10:17,
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ…” It is the
Word of Life because it brings life, as we read in 1 Peter 1:23, “…for you have been born again not of seed which is
perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of
God.” God has spoken
life by His word! And
through the Word we recognize God’s work in us, and begin to grasp our part in His
plan. So, it gives a perspective that allows us to have joy that goes beyond
circumstances. That attitude will be noticed by the world. So 1) stop whining, 2)
start shining, and 3…
III. Try Aligning your
perspective with God’s: And so find “Big
Picture” Joy (16b-18)!
…so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did
not run in vain or labor in vain. 17
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering
of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be
glad and rejoice with me.
Notice how our passage today started in v.14 talking about not
complaining, and it ends in these verses, referring once again to rejoicing in
the Lord. He begins here by alluding to a future joy (2:16) “…so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or
labored in vain…” Paul points ahead to a future joy that will be
his ‘in the day of Christ…” because of the perseverance of the
Philippians. Remember the reference back
in 1:6, “I am confident… that He who began a good work in you will bring it
to completion in the day of Christ…” They are his crown! What greater joy could there be than to see
one you have loved and encouraged and discipled in the faith standing firm and
growing in their relationship with Christ.
John said in v.4 of his third Epistle, “I have no greater joy than to
hear that my children are walking in the truth.” The promise that God has a
plan of which are a part, and that this story is moving to a climax should
encourage us who know Him. Yes, the world closes its eyes, but the truth is
that Jesus is coming back. For us, that is Good News!
Because we live in the light of the Word
of God, we live in the sure hope of the return of Christ. Peter warned that
mockers will ask "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since
the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of
creation" (2 Pet 3:4).
For our part he goes on to
say: “…what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and
godliness, 12 looking for and
hastening the coming of the day of God…” (2 Pet 3:11-12). Believe it or not,
ready or not, He is coming! The
sure future that we have in Christ is something that can encourage us and give
us strength to persevere and yes, even be joyful in the midst of difficult
times. Now, we weep, but our sorry will be turned to joy! Jesus wins! But
Paul’s faith was not simply based on the future hope of new life in the new
heavens and the new earth. For us the
future is present, we have, now… already… eternal life.
So, we have a sure joy in the future, and because it is sure, we have joy
here and now (2:17,18). Listen to Paul’s words again, “…Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be
glad and rejoice with me.” Remember Paul’s perspective: “To live is
Christ, to die is gain…”!
It
is not only then and there that Paul will have joy. He is in Christ, here and now.
“Rejoice with you” is a compound form of the work “rejoice” that
keeps appearing in this letter. This compound form speaks of “a deep mutuality
of purpose and feeling.” Rejoicing together! The same word was used by Luke in
describing the relatives of Elizabeth “rejoicing” with her over the
birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:58). Jesus used it of the one who “rejoiced”
with friends over finding his sheep (Lk 15:6).
God’s
perspective gives joy, as we align our perspective with the big picture, we
start thinking more like Jesus, God’s thoughts stir our love for Him, causing
it to well up in our hearts and to overflow. That seems to be the perspective in
Psalm 63:1-7,
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul
thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where
there is no water. 2 So I
have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is
better than life, my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will
lift up my hands. 5 My soul
will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with
joyful lips, 6 when I
remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and
in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
Joy that goes beyond the moment. Paul uses
the language of Scripture to refer to his experience of sacrifice as a priest
pouring out the drink offering (Num 15:1-10). From Paul’s perspective the
larger, more significant sacrifice is “their faith.” If his life
is to be given, it is a small thing in the light of eternity compared to his
joy in the Lord.
What is God saying to me in this passage? What’s the Maine*
Idea? I) Stop whining, let the trials of life remind you this is why Jesus
came! Instead rejoice in what God has done for you in Jesus. Stop whining, and
II) Start shining, holding fast the Word of life, and holding forth the Word
which is a light to our path, and a lamp to our feet, and dare we say, a
lighthouse to the nations! Stop whining, start shining, and III) Try aligning
your perspective with God’s. As we recognize God’s work in us, and begin to
grasp our part in His plan, it gives a perspective that allows us to have joy
that goes beyond circumstances. The world will notice. Do you see clearly now?
What would God have me to do in response to this passage? Joy in serving Jesus, a joy that goes beyond the circumstances of the moment is at the heart of this letter. The Jews in the wilderness complained against God… and so have we, haven’t we? It may have been in the form of complaining about politics, or restrictions, but did any of this surprise God? If we question His providence, if we complain about the circumstances that we are facing in this fallen world, it can sound like we are headed to the complaint department. Against whom are we complaining? Whatever you are facing, God has got this, you can trust Him. He will use it for our good, and for His glory. Let’s let the hard things of life remind us that this is why Jesus came. Let them cause you to press in close to God, and to trust Him. Rejoice in the Lord always! Amen.
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