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 2:14-16a NIV
When this passage is taken out of its surrounding context, it might seem that, so long as I did not grumble or argue, I would be blameless and pure. But the previous instruction had been “to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12b-13). So, the “everything” I am to do without grumbling or complaining is within the context of working out my salvation.
Doing this can take two forms. The first is submitting to the one who works within me. Not complaining or grumbling about how hard the work is or what it is costing me in worldly pleasure. It is joyfully and wholeheartedly working alongside the Holy Spirit as he transforms my life.
The other aspect of this instruction concerns others within the community of believers. We are to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Phil 2:2). To grumble about or argue with other believers does not produce the oneness of purpose, spirit, and love we should strive for.
If we work together with one heart and mind, submitting to and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we will shine like the stars in the sky. Paul describes the world around us as a warped and crooked generation. It is a world living in darkness. But we can be a light to our world (Matt. 5:14-16).
Hold fast to the word of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and let your light shine brightly. And see what a difference that light can make in a world of darkness.
