4 November 2020

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.

From Philippians 2: 12-18, NRSV

This section of Paul’s letter follows straight on from that in which we are reminded of Christ’s obedience to the Father’s will. For Paul, obedience is also to be the model of life for followers of Christ. He acknowledges the obedience that the Philippians have shown towards him and the even greater obedience they have shown by their faithfulness to God even when he (Paul) is not there in person keeping an eye on them. For Paul, it is not enough that the people simply do as they should but also that they do so without complaining or arguing. In setting these high expectations, Paul also offers the encouragement that those who meet them will shine like stars and be unspoiled by the world.

• • Ho easy is it to do as we should without murmuring or arguing?
  • Who do you know that shines like a star in the world? Can you be a star?

Pray today for the grace to refrain from grumbling or arguing. At the end of the day, give thanks for the times when you were able to do this.