Being Joyfully Against the World
By Emily Rose Massey
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” - Philippians 2:14-16, ESV
Despite the hardship of this life, we are called to rejoice and find our joy in Christ. Our grumbling is complaining against God, saying He isn't good. The world believes the lie that the problems we face are around us and the solution is within, but the truth is that our problem is the sin within, and the answer is found in Christ and His Holy Word. The world is constantly twisting away from the truth because they fail to believe in Christ and His truth in His Word. We need to be cautious of what we allow to influence our minds. Is there something you enjoy that is not inherently sinful in and of itself but can begin to sway your thinking and behavior if given too much attention over time in God's Word or serving in the local church? Social media, TV, music, movies, sports? We should unplug from the world and plug into God's Word if we truly want to see real transformation to be a light to a dark and hopeless world. The Apostle Paul told the Philippians:
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16, ESV).
The Word can change our hearts if we struggle with complaining or arguing with others consistently. If we sin in this way, we must repent, reset our minds with the Word, and rejoice in the Lord. Our lives are to be a brilliant beacon in the darkness as we stand as God's children against the world's wickedness. We must be diligent in clinging to the Word of life daily so that it can empower us to thrust it into a culture of death to bring hope and eternal life to those who are perishing.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
We do not have to form a relationship with someone to share the gospel with them. Still, we often see people outside our homes consistently who may not have a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (ex: your local barista or hairstylist). Is there someone who comes to mind? Commit to praying for that person and asking the Lord for an opportunity to share the gospel truth with them. Our motivation to persevere amid a dark world is our hope for the day of Christ and eternity with Him, where we will obtain crowns. While we are still on this earth, we have the privilege of working towards great heavenly rewards as servants to the Lord. What talents has the Lord given you to use for His glory? Are you using them to their fullest capacity? Take some time to thank Him for those gifts and pray for more opportunities to use them to shine brightly for Christ.
Further Reading:
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Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
The process of success is not hidden. It is on display for anyone to see. However, it is a daily grind that requires a great deal of work that is tedious and often uncomfortable. Successful people simply do the work. They embrace the grind and everything that comes with it. Ultimately, successful people understand this truth - Hope doesn’t produce change. Habits do! Everyone has the desire, but many lack the necessary discipline! That’s why today on The Built Different Podcast we have a very special guest who understands the importance of discipline and habits at a very high level. Don’t just focus on changing the thoughts in your head and the habits in your life, but also allow God to transform your heart from the inside out. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Built Different Podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube so you never miss an episode!
