STARLIGHT
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, in Jesus, we have the absolute assurance that we will spend eternity with you. Thank you for your plan, worked out from the beginning, to make me your own.
Read PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 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. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Footnotes
- Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
As you read, remember a time when you were walking at night, maybe carol singing, with just a few lights or the moon to break into the darkness.During the Covid-19 pandemic, we longed to be present with those we love, but learned to communicate with them in different ways. Yet it was never quite the same as being there (v 12). Paul feels his absence from the Philippians. He thinks he may never see them again. His letter will have to suffice.
What is clear, as he develops this theme, is that he so longs for his readers to excel. It is not that he wants any praise, but, as any caring parent, he wants the joy of knowing they have done well. So, he urges them to cooperate with God to make a difference in the world. Grumbling could tarnish their impact, so they should stop it (vs 14,15) and hold confidently and boldly to the Word of life, the truth in Christ.
Earlier in the chapter he included what is probably an ancient hymn to inspire the Philippians to have the mind of Christ (2:5-11). Now he invites them to imagine themselves as stars in the sky, shining in a ‘warped’ world. The best-known star story ever is the one about a star that led wise men to Christ the King. We, too, are called to shine the way to Christ by our blameless lives, but even more, by the presence of Christ within us (v 15).
Apply
It has been said that when it is very dark, a little light will do. How much more will the bright light of the Son shining through you do in this dark world?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that you have called me to be a light in the world. Help me to shine brightly so that others might see you.
Book and Author Intros
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