Shine

Shine

Philippians 2:14-16a

Our lesson today is just about as straight forward as you can get: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Crystal clear and convicting, too, isn’t it? I mean, if there’s a lesson from God’s Word that lands directly in all of our laps... it’s this one!

It’s so easy to grumble, and be argumentative! And we’re literally surrounded by grumbling, argumentative people: we even invite them into our homes! Network and cable “news” is 90 percent opinion these days, and it’s divisive. Social Media platforms have made millions on grumbling and arguing - and keeping the rest of us grumbling and arguing, too!

The Biblical Greek word from our lesson, translated “grumbling” in English, literally means “muttering, murmuring, complaining, or expressing discontent in a dissatisfied manner.” Paul uses this word in the context of his instruction to believers to live in obedience to God, because as believers, we reflect the character of Christ. To “do everything without grumbling or arguing” is a command written to the redeemed - it’s not a word to the lost or unregenerate. It’s an imperative for God’s people...

Of course, behind this command is a profound truth about the Christian life. That Truth being, our words, our attitudes, and our actions are to more and more reflect the transforming grace of God as we live in a sanctifying relationship with our Lord. And why is that? It’s because you and I are the beneficiaries of God’s providential grace in Christ.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s easy to “shine” when life is going our way. The real test comes when things are difficult - when we’re inconvenienced, misunderstood, criticized, or treated unfairly. It’s those moments that tend to reveal whether you and I are trusting God’s providence... or... reflecting the world by demanding that life conform to our desires.

Paul does not tell us to sequester ourselves from the difficulties of this world. He tells us to shine in the middle of it.

Matthew 5:14-16, we hear Jesus tell his followers, “You are the light of the world,” comparing his disciples to a city on a hill or a lamp on a stand that cannot be hidden; the call of Christ is to let your light shine through good deeds done to the glory of God.

Ephesians 5:8-9, Paul reminds believers that they were once in darkness, but now, in Christ, they’re the “light of the Lord,” and he calls us to walk as children of the Light, producing goodness, righteousness, and truth.

John 8:12, Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He is the source of our light.

Our calling is to be reflective of the Light of Christ... to reflect the grace and mercy we’ve been shown by God in Christ... and to be content with what the Good Lord has blessed us with!

One of the best ways to overcome our dissatisfaction, or to put your knee to the neck of grumbling, is to call to mind just how good God has been to you!

I’ve mentioned this many times before: but when I get find myself bemoaning the fact that I’ve been given a raw deal, that life’s not fair, and I’ve got it so bad (and in the moments when I’m less than grateful)... I stop... and I look at my shoes... and remember: anyone who has more than one pair of shoes, if you have some spare change lying around the house, if you sleep in the same bed every night, if you know where your next meal is coming from, and if you have a roof over your head... you are better off than 95 percent of everyone who has ever lived! IN FACT: you’re better off than Jesus, as God’s Word tells us, “the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)

YOU ARE BLESSED.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently - not because we’re better than those around us, but because God’s grace has made us His children.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called the children of God!” (1 John 3:1). The greatest blessing of all, is that God in Christ Jesus would dare choose the likes of me, to be His.

And it is precisely because we are His (we belong to Christ), that we’re called to “shine... like the stars in the sky.” The image of stars is especially poignant. Stars do not struggle to make darkness disappear. They just shine! They do what they were created to do! Our Sun is just a star... and it shines 24/7. It’s simply shines. When it’s dark, it’s not because the sun isn’t shining. It’s dark because our position to the source of light has changed.

When you and I give in to the grumbling, dissatisfied, discontented nature of the world, it speaks volumes about our faith in God’s providence. And when we find ourselves in such a predicament... our position needs to change!

We’re called by Christ to respond to the difficulties and trials of this life with humility, gratitude, and patience! And when we do, our faith shines in a world of darkness... bearing a powerful witness to Christ... who has given us every reason, to be grateful.

Of course, all of this is God’s work of grace in our lives. We do not become lights for Christ by our own strength. It’s God’s work within us! Our obedience becomes a visible testimony to His transforming power.

Maybe we should all ask ourselves: When circumstances are difficult, do people see my frustration - or do they see Christ?

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Amen.