Sunday: Grumble Not

"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me."     Philippians 2:14-18

This morning I attended Campus Church for the first time in a while. I found myself very challenged by the best sermon I have heard Johnnie preach in a while. For those of you that weren't there he talked about Philipians 2:14, explaining how we are to do all things without grumbling. This is such a simple topic, but oh so hard to live. For me, especially when it comes to theology. Today people tend to whine and complain about anything they do that is not for themselves. The thing that bothers me is that if someone asks another person to do something, most times they will try to get out of it and if they do it they will whine and complain. It's funny how it takes something tragic like and accident or death in the family for us to help others out. I'm not saying this is always the case, but many times it is. Why don't we offer to do things for other expecting nothing in return? When we do help others, we are not to do so kicking and screaming. Paul instructs the Philippians to do everything without grumbling or questioning. Why? That they may be blameless and innocent children of God in a twisted generation. Today everyone is living for themselves and feels that everyone else owes them something. In fact we deserve nothing and that in which we do have is a blessing. Through this Paul says we will be lights that shine in our generation as we are different, not living for ourselves but for God Almighty. Our wanting to please God should be what drives us, not our selfish ambitions. We are to make the best of the situations we are in instead of grumbling about where we could be.

Also, it is important that we aren't grumbling about theology as there are many things we will never know. Not that studying or discussing theology is wrong, I love doing that. But it becomes wrong when we become divided over issues that aren't of eternal significance.

In all you do, do so without grumbling
_