May 14 | Philippians 2:12-18

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DAILY READING

Philippians 2:12-18

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REFLECTION

Like Stars in The Sky

By Beth Voltmann

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.

(Philippians 2:14-15)

Ouch. That first line hits home. I often act as if grumbling is my spiritual gift. Although I tell my husband that I’m a realist, he says I’m actually a “happy pessimist.” My retort is that he’s a “grouchy optimist”. Neither of these traits are attractive for those who call themselves believers.

We are to do EVERYTHING without grumbling or arguing - not MOST things, not SOME things, but ALL things. Paul admonishes us to become blameless and pure, children of God without fault. In this letter he reflects back to the song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:5) in which the foolish and unwise Israelites of the Exodus, to their shame, are referred to as “corrupt - not [God’s} children - a warped and crooked generation.”

How do we live as a people holy to God? This is possible but only through the transforming power of Christ in us. If we grumble and complain, we look just like the world around us! Nothing is appealing about that.

Instead we are to:

·      be the aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14)

·      bear Christ’s light in this dark world (Matthew 5:16)

·      share the gospel with the lost (Matthew 28:19-20)

·      love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27)

Then, and only then, will we shine like stars in the sky as we hold firmly to the Word of Life, and others will be drawn to Jesus.

Hear the prophetic words from the Old Testament echoed in the New:

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens,

and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

(Daniel 12:3)

Let us repent of our grumbling and ask the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, our minds, our words and our actions. As children of our Heavenly Father, may we be light bearers – a perfect reflection of our Lord Jesus, who is himself, the Light of the World.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star, I know that I am a new creation, forgiven and purified by your perfect sacrifice, but daily, my “old self” tries to surface. Please create in me a clean heart and renew the joy of my salvation. Shine through me and use me to share your gospel of hope with this broken and hurting generation.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.