“Do all things without murmurings (complaining) and disputings (arguing); that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in a dark world.”
I’ll just go ahead and admit that I do complain from time to time, and that I have to make myself not argue. For example, when I read some things on Face Book that I completely disagree with, I am sorely tempted to make a comment and point out how much I disagree with what they think. This is especially true when they make demeaning statements about Jesus. There are two things that I have to do in these cases: (1) consider the source, (2) know that my comment will not change them and will just get an argument started. I have mentioned in prior posts that I try not to argue, because it only runs up my blood pressure and makes me have to deal with unneeded anger. As to complaining, I must admit that from time to time I have to make myself not complain. I think one of my main problems about complaining has to do with my computer. It is so aggravating that it sometimes seems to have a mind of its own. There are times when I am trying to complete a thought and the thing will freeze up and not let me do anything until it decides to unfreeze. However, I must admit that no matter how much I complain, my computer goes on doing its own thing. If we will stop and think, this is true about almost all, if not all, of our complaints. Paul wrote this admonition to the Philippian Church not to make them feel better about themselves. He wrote it to remind them that to chronically complain and argue is a poor witness. This is especially true when this takes place in the fellowship of the church. We need to be careful about complaining about our churches among ourselves or in the public arena. It bothers me that church members complain about their churches in places where they gather in the secular world. This does not make people who are “unchurched” want be “churched.” They are probably thinking that they have enough problems in their lives without adding another one. This should not be thought about the Church of Jesus Christ, but it is if that is what we advertise. Often what we complain about has nothing to do with the kingdom of God, or the ongoing mission of Jesus Christ to this world. Paul pointed out that we are to “shine as lights in a dark world.” When we needlessly complain and argue, we extinguish the light of Christ in our lives. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14 and 16 that we “are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We need to be careful not to say or do anything that will dim, or extinguish, the light of Christ in our lives. People should be able to hear what we say and see what we do and glorify God. Nobody knows anymore than I do how aggravating life can be, and how aggravating people can be. I just have to remind myself that I might be one of those aggravating people to somebody else. Let’s make a resolution that before we complain and argue, we will stop and think about what it will mean to the person, or people, to whom we are complaining and with whom we are arguing. I know that it’s not easy, but it is necessary if we are to “shine as lights in a dark world.” Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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