Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - Philippians 2:14-16Wow...I haven't written anything in a while but after reading this verse I felt the need to share.
So, Paul said to do ALL things without complaining or arguing. It seems impossible at times, doesn't it - to do EVERYTHING without complaining? It seems like it's impossible, anyway. Or at least it does to me! It's so easy to grumble and complain. It's easy to even justify your right to complain. If your boss tells you to do something how many times have you complained to a co-worker? Do you complain about your country? If someone asks you to wash the dishes, or clean up a mess how do you respond? Do you find yourself talking to a friend and complaining to them about someone you know? Not only are we to not complain but we are to do all things with a good attitude.
In doing so we have an opportunity to point people to Jesus and help them develop a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior. If we are complaining then we are no different then those who don't follow Jesus. Can you imagine Jesus complaining? Can you imagine what it would have been like if Jesus had gone to dinner at someone's house and started complaining about the disciples lack of faith. What if he had showed up at John's house and started complaining that Peter betrayed him or complaining about how everyone ran off and deserted Him?
While it's true we'll never reach sinless perfection, we do have an obligation to be pure and holy in our motives and also our actions.
As others watch you from day to day, are they drawn closer to Jesus because of your speech and actions? Regardless of our age, we are to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
John Wesley once said, "Give me a hundred men who love nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will shake the whole world for Christ."
