We have already seen how we are to ‘work out’ our salvation through the practice of spiritual disciplines or exercises. It is in that context that Paul speaks of God’s will being worked in us for His glory. As we ‘work out’ our faith, God will do a work in us so that He can do a work through us. When we practice basic spiritual disciplines, it will change the way we live and our lives will have a great impact on the world around us. Warren Wiersbe says, “God is more interested in the workman than in the work. If the workman is what he ought to be, the work will be what it ought to be.”[1] After showing us how we need to care for the inner man and ‘work out’ our salvation, Paul gives some instructions on how we are to live as our lives are being changed on the inside. Living from the inside out, letting God’s power flow through us, will bring us a joy for living that is beyond compare. Notice some of the ways we are to live as God does a work in us.
Live without Complaining. Keep in mind that Paul is talking to the church. He is instructing them in how they are to live amongst themselves. Therefore, the principle here is that when it comes to life in the church, we are not to be complainers. I knew a pastor once who had a door in his upstairs office that opened to the outside where there was a pull down fire escape. On the door he had a sign that said ‘complaint department.’ In the King James it says we are to “do all things without murmuring”. To murmur is to complain. It gives the picture of a child who is told to do a certain chore that he or she does not want to do. As the child goes to do the chore he talks under his breath and complains about doing the chore. It’s like the child whose parents told him to sit down and reluctantly he sat down and said, “I may be sitting on the outside, but I’m standing on the inside.” Too often we complain about things in the church that in the end doesn’t really matter. We will complain about the silliest of things. Years ago I remember a lady in a church that complained in the business meeting that the church was baptizing too many people and it was making the water bill too high. On one occasion I received a complaint about how we changed the name of our Wednesday night prayer meeting. The one bringing the complaint was so adamant that you would think calling your mid-week service ‘prayer meeting’ was one of the ten commandments. In one church I pastored years ago I had people complain that I was too evangelistic and my sermons were too simple. At that same church a lady came to my office threatening to leave the church because she said my sermons were too deep and she felt like she was in a seminary classroom. Sometimes you just can’t win. No matter what you do, somebody is not going to be happy. Paul says, that we are to do all things without complaining. Look, if the Word of God is preached, and people are getting saved, and believers are growing in their faith, what in the world do we have to complain about! Think about it. Think about some of the silly things you have complained about over the years. Was it worth it? Did it really matter? When there is a spirit of murmuring in the church, you cannot expect God to move amongst us. Before you complain about something ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Ask yourself if it’s really that important. Serve the Lord faithfully through your local church without complaining. “Do all things without murmuring.”
Live without arguing. Paul in these verses is dealing with our attitude. He is basically telling us not to be grumpy. Don’t have a complaining attitude and don’t have an argumentative attitude. There is nothing wrong with bringing up a legitimate concern. There is nothing wrong with having a civil discussion. But, we should not be an argumentative person. Paul tells the church of Philippi that if you want to live together with joy, then stop fighting. Serve the Lord without disputing amongst yourselves. There are some things you need to just let go. There are some things that are simply not worth arguing over. How do we avoid disputes in the church? We avoid disputes by focusing on our mission and our purpose and learning to love and trust each other. I think that this one of the greatest issues in a lot of churches. People don’t trust each other. They don’t trust those who serve on committees. They don’t trust the deacons. They don’t trust the pastor. They don’t trust the staff. Many times such mistrust may seem warranted due to past experiences. However, we must not forget that we are brother and sisters in Christ and there is no reason why we can’t trust one another. If we all have the same desire to grow in our faith and to see people saved and to see the church grow, why should there be any arguments. The key is having a clear vision and staying focused on that vision. When we lose sight of why we are here, that’s when arguments happen. As a church, we must “do all things without murmuring and disputing.”
Live Blameless. Paul said in verse 15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights.” This verse is tied in to what Paul was saying in verse 14. We need to be careful how we live amongst ourselves as a church because there is a lost world around us watching us. If all they see is Christians fighting amongst themselves, why would they have interest in the Gospel? The Holman Bible Commentary says, “Believers are to be so distinct from unbelievers that we stand out as positive models. If God is working in our lives, we are to be unlike the godless society around us. We are to make them curious as to why we are not like them. Christ, himself, said that we are to be “the light of the world”[2] Paul says we are to live ‘without rebuke.’ We are to live in such a way that we cannot be accused of wrong doing. We are to live above reproach. We should be so blameless that if something goes wrong at work or wherever we may be, we are the last ones that anyone would ever think to accuse. I had a cousin when we were younger that got accused for everything. He often got in trouble so when something went wrong, rightfully or wrongfully, he was the first one that everyone blamed. As Christians we should be the last one that anyone would accuse.
Live in Truth. Philippians 2:16 says, “Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”[3] Paul says we are to ‘hold fast the Word of life.’ What we do in this life matters. How we live on earth has a bearing on the rewards and the joy we will experience in glory. If we want to rejoice when Christ returns and be able to hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”, then we must live right. We must live in obedience to God’s Word. We must let the Word of God sanctify us and make us holy. When you come to the end of your days on earth, it is good to have the confidence that you did not live your life in vain. That you lived courageously and honorably for the glory of God.
Live to Serve the Lord. Verses 17-18 says, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.”[4] Remember, Paul is writing this letter to the Philippian church while in a Roman prison. He seems to be content and accepting of the idea that he may be called upon to be a martyr. He says that if he must lose whose life, he rejoices that he would lose it for the cause of Christ and he believed the church would rejoice with him. If you want true joy in your life, then be involved in Kingdom work. There is tremendous joy in serving the Lord. Don’t live for self, live for Jesus. Don’t live for personal gain, live for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Don’t live for personal pleasure, live to worship Jesus. Your whole life should be wrapped up in serving Jesus. You should live to serve.
True joy is found in the abundant life given to us by Jesus Christ. Are you living that life? Are you enjoying the life that God has given you? The only way to enjoy life is to live without complaining, without arguing, live blameless, live in the truth, and live to serve. It is only in this that you are truly living. It is only in truly living that you have true joy!
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 78). Victor Books.
[2] Anders, M. (1999). Galatians-Colossians (Vol. 8, pp. 227–228). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] The New King James Version (Php 2:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] The New King James Version (Php 2:17–18). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 