Date: 8/24/18
Lesson #14
Title: As Children of God, Blameless and Harmless
Scripture: (Philippians 2:14-16, NIV)
(14) Do everything without grumbling or arguing, (15) 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 (16) as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Introduction
In verses 14-16 Paul focuses his attention on our relationships with fellow believers as well as the unbelieving society around us. To form those relationships we must work toward living worthy of the Gospel, which means displaying an honorable testimony to the world through loving unity within the church. These verses give specific instructions on how to work out God’s “good purpose” (v. 13) in relation to daily Christian living.
Lesson
(2:14) Do everything[14.1] without grumbling or arguing,
One of the most common failures of Christians who have lost sight of the wonder of God’s grace is the tendency to complain, often about little things such as food and drink, as illustrated by the children of Israel during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Such complaining, however, is a symptom of a deep-seated spiritual problem—failure to really trust God and failure to be submissive to His heaven-sent provision. In the case of Israel it brought forth from God the most severe judgment. In the lives of Christians, complaining is a symptom of being out of touch with God.
These verses tell us how God feels about “grumbling” and “arguing” among Christians— “everything”[14.1] was to be done “without grumbling [complaining, murmuring; it describes the low, threatening, discontented murmuring of a mob who distrust their leaders and are on the verge of an uprising.] or arguing”[disputing with our fellow man] —everything a believer does. “Grumbling” is the translation of a word which suggests a bad attitude. The apostle may have had in mind the behavior of the Israelites during their wilderness wandering, who often complained to Moses and in turn to God? “And do not grumble, as some of them did?and were killed by the destroying angel” (1 Corinthians 10:10).
“Arguing” suggests a legal aspect of disputing and may refer, at least in part, to the practice of going to civil courts to settle their differences (1 Corinthians 6:1-11). It is more likely, however, that the apostle’s instruction refers to the internal dissension which was disturbing the peace of the church. The Philippians must avoid all unholy strife, in order that they may become the kind of people whose witness will commend them to outsiders.
Although the Christian life is not unreasonable, the will of God may seem unreasonable at times to a Christian. Whether one disputes with God or disputes with his fellow Christians, such dialogue often suggests a lack of submission to the will and revelation of God. A Christian is called to unquestioning obedience, and in his relationship to other Christians should not be argumentative. If we refuse to “grumble and argue,” we put the powerful truth of Jesus Christ on display. As a result, the community of unbelievers sees us as genuine sons of God. Therefore, our holy living within the church demonstrates our identity as “the sons of God” and shines Christ’s light on the surrounding world (v. 15).
Special notes and Scripture
[14.1] The order of the words is quite significant. The word “everything” stands out. Most Christians do most things “without grumbling or arguing.” The challenge is to do “everything” in this spirit.
(2:15) so that you may become blameless and pure, “children [“sons”] of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine[note 15.1] among them like stars in the sky
The importance of the kind of behavior called for is set forth in Philippians 2:15-16. Before their testimony for Christ could ever be effective in the community where they lived, the Philippians needed to set some things straight in their own assembly. The Philippians lived in a “warped and crooked (depraved) generation.” Again, it seems that Paul had the unbelieving Israelites in mind. The world today, like theirs, is unscrupulous and perverted. Most people have turned their backs on God and truth. In this kind of world God’s people are to “shine like stars” (Matthew 5:14-16). They are to be “children of God without fault.”
Evidently the believers were complaining (to God and each other) and “arguing” (with each other). As a result they were not “without fault” among the unregenerate; they were not shining like stars in their world. The Philippian assembly needed to show themselves as united and as one in Christ. Non-Christians we’re not being attracted to Him by the saints’ strife and controversy; therefore, Paul continues his call for them to have an attitude like Christ’s. Not only does Paul call the Philippians to humility and service, but he also warns them against spreading disunity in the Christian community.
“Blameless” means “above reproach.” This does not mean sinless perfection. The corporate testimony of the church is in view. All believers are called on to live out the salvation God has worked in them—to progress in their spiritual maturity. The people were to live so that those outside of Christ could not rightfully point an accusing finger at them. A Christian walking in fellowship with God is in a good spiritual state to assure any who will hear that the Word of God which he is offering will satisfy the hungry heart.
“Pure” translates a word that was used for wine which had not been diluted and of metal which had not been weakened in any way. Jesus also used the word when He told the 12 to be “innocent” as doves (Matthew 10:16). Paul wants them (the Philippians) to be “Pure and blameless,” living out the Christian life with inner unity and outward holiness in spite of the condition of the world around them. The Christian life should be of such purity that none can find anything in it with which to find fault; and it must be such that it can be offered like an unblemished sacrifice to God. It is often said in courts of law that the proceedings must not only be just but must be seen to be just. The Christian must not only be pure, but the purity of his life must be seen by all and his motives must be unmixed. Christian purity must emanate from a complete sincerity of thought and character, blameless in the site of the world, sincere within itself, and fit to stand the scrutiny of God. The Christian offers and demonstrates straightness in a twisted world and light in a dark world. Their purity of life and character would make them stand out as lights in the darkness in a world which is crooked, that is, dishonest and perverse [crooked; perverted; misled], even to the point of becoming “depraved” or “morally perverted”.
Special notes and Scripture
[15.1] Shine means “appear” or “show yourselves.” Christ is “the Light of the world” (John 8:12); believers are only “light bearers” reflecting His light.
(2:16) as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run[16.2] or labor in vain[16.3].
A child of God is in God’s family, but the unregenerate are alienated from Him. They are His enemies. God’s sovereign plan is to use His Word, administered by God’s people, to transform His enemies into His friends by the regenerating work of God’s Spirit.
The Greek word translated “hold firmly” was used in secular Greek when offering wine to a guest at a banquet. “Hold out” may be better here. As the Philippian saints held out (or offered) “the word of life” to others, Paul would then be able to boast (glory) “on the day of Christ”[16.4] that he had not labored in vain with them. The “day of Christ”[16.1] refers to the Rapture when the Savior returns and meets His own [His Church] in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and believers will be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. This boasting was not a selfish ambition of Paul’s; he was concerned with God’s honor. The apostle is not bragging about his own accomplishments. Rather, he is communicating a passionate concern that the Gospel runs its course in the Philippians’ lives. He understands that professions of faith that do not culminate in living worthy of the Gospel are empty. They leave those who minister the truth like Paul with nothing too present to Christ for His eternal Glory. Living worthy of the Gospel means letting “your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
The purpose of their outward holiness and Christian life of humility, unity, and obedience is to shine the light of Christ into the world (Matthew 5:14-16) as they hold to the truth of the Gospel and present the Gospel to the world in both word and deed—the Gospel alone has the power to bring life to the spiritually dead. Life and light are related. When we hold forth the Word of Life, we are lights in the world. Paul rejoiced when he hears that the Philippian believers are manifesting their faith in good works. The believers were very close to the heart of Paul because they were his converts. Paul calls for their Christian lives to be true for their own sakes and also so that Paul may rejoice and boast in the Philippians. Paul not only wanted to be a benefit to the Philippians, but wanted to reach countless others through them. Paul has worked and labored for this congregation, and he greatly desires at the final day to boast in all that they have become. He does not want all the love he has given to end up being for nothing.
Special notes and Scripture
[16.1] Although many expositors identify this phase as the day of the Lord, the context of its usage seems to refer to the blessings upon Christians rather than judgment on the world [The system opposed to God.] as contemplated in the day of the Lord. It is at this judgment that Christian testimony will be evaluated, and Paul longs to have his own efforts not rated as “in vain” or empty. It also reminds the Philippians that their efforts will be evaluated and rewarded.
[16.2] “Run”?to strive to advance; to make progress.
[16.3] “Vain”?empty; without content; without result.
[16.4] Paul does not mean “on the day of Christ” but rather “with the day of Christ in view.” He foresaw the potential joy of that momentous event.
