38 - Connecting w/ God

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
CONNECTING with GOD
Day  38 | CONNECTING IN HARMONY
CONNECTING IN HARMONY

Philippians 2:14-16
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”


We live in what seems like a hyper-argumentative time.  It appears the idea of having a cool discussion or debate about a topic, are long gone.  Now, it’s one word “put-downs” or raised voices. shouting down anyone with whom they disagree.  Even the idea of “debate” in Congress, seems to be long-gone.  And on college campus, whew!  Don’t EVEN think about having a cool discussion.

Apparently in the church at Philippi, Paul was addressing a similar issue.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”

I don’t know that they were even close to being as vitriolic as we see today, but apparently – as with all people groups – from time to time there were disagreements which could evolve into arguing.

Paul makes it clear that these Believers (and it applies to us too) should NOT be like the world which is “warped and crooked.” But that we – and our harmony – should SHINE like stars in the sky.   And why you might ask?

To bring Glory to God and I would add, attention to us (and our harmony) so that those who are far from God might be intrigued and ask, “What do you have that I don’t?”  An open door for sharing the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, help me to deal in kindness with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Help keep me from arguing but let us keep as a primary goal our need to show  people The Way – Your Way – and point people to Your Son Jesus.  Amen.