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Verse by Verse Devotional on Philippians by Pastor Jack #95

April 17, 2014 | by: Jack Lash | 0 comments

Posted in: Philippians

Grappling with Grumbling

2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

Paul begins to elaborate on what it means for the Philippians to work out their salvation. The first thing is to stop the grumbling.

We need the same reminder: stop grumbling!

And Paul is saying more than cut back on your grumbling. He is saying, "Get rid of your grumbling! Be done with your grumbling!" Do ALL things without grumbling!

How are we going to respond to the unpleasant things that happen in our lives? How are we going to respond to what is going on in our family or our church or our workplace or our nation? Are we going to grumble?

There is a legitimate grief we ought to feel when sin increases around us. And yet if our happiness is based on what happens in our circumstances then we are missing what God has for us. One of the foundational principles of Christianity is that there is something bigger and deeper to give joy and be an anchor than the circumstances of this cursed world.

And isn’t that what we have to offer the lost people around us? We are supposed to be saying to them, “There is something worth living for! There is something that can bring meaning to your life! There is something that can give you a certain future! There is a place of love, there is a place of hope!” But if we grumble when things around us are not going well, then our lives send the message that happiness comes not from Christ but from the world.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 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..."

O Lord my God, I want my life to be a joyful advertisement for the gospel of Your Son. I want my life to help others to see how wonderful He is. Forgive me, dear Father. Forgive me for allowing myself to be driven to and fro by the changing winds of my circumstances. Forgive me for forgetting that I have more than enough reason in Christ to be permanently and supremely thankful. Forgive me for grumbling when I should have been praising. My Father, You have given me so much. How could I ever complain? You have come to give me abundant life and yet I act as if I am deprived! Help me never ever to grumble, but always to cherish the goodness You have shown.

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