Don't Complain About Earning Rewards!

Philippians 2: 14-18

(14) Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 

Because God is working in us to want and to do His will, as we saw yesterday, we are to cooperate with Him willingly, without complaining or having a bad attitude.

(15) so that you will prove yourselves to be be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach 

We are responsible to display God's family traits in our own attitudes, showing that He has cleansed us thoroughly and completely, restoring innocence and blamelessness.  

in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, 

We're still in the middle of the mess here, but we're not part of it any more. 

among whom you appear as lights in the world, 

Twisted and perverted people live in the darkness of this World, where God's light needs to shine. We are the bright lights He wants to use to expose all the wickedness in our midst, showing those who are caught up in this bondage the much better way of living, the way God has outlined for us in His Word. Only His ways will bring to us the freedom, peace and joy of the Lord He wants for all of us. 

(16) holding fast the word of life, 

We need to keep on keeping on thinking and acting as God's family members. It is up to us to show those in the world God's way of living, to draw them and lead them to God. The more winsome we can be in our right living, the more attractive we show our Lord to be, in His great love for all of us.

so that in the Day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 

Just as Paul wanted to glory in the Philippians, I anticipate being able to glory in you, my readers, as you apply God's word to your own lives, so that I will not be sharing this blog every day in vain, to no purpose. 

I want you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through this technology, so the Kingdom will grow in both maturity and numbers. 

(17) But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 

Paul thought he might be convicted and put to death for his witness and testimony, considering it to be his part of their sacrifice of faith, and was rejoicing in the prospect. And he wanted them to rejoice with him. 

(18) You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. 

As he was sharing his joy with them, he wanted them to also share their joy with him, to make it reciprical. So they could all rejoice together. 

O my Father, I pray for Your children: I pray that we would all grow up to maturity, so that the body of Christ will reach the full stature of the Son of God; and I pray that we would disseminate Your word to the whole world, so that every living being would hear and understand to choose to turn to You or reject Your gracious offer. And I pray that Your protection would be on Your children from all the filth and deception and traps. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!