Light in the World

Introduction

We are considering three verses from our passage of Philippians 2:12-18. Our verses today are Philippians 2:14-16 “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.”

The preceding sermon on Philippians dealt with verses 12 - 13. We learned that we are called to Obey and Work. As Christians we obey the commandments of God and we work to further the Kingdom of God. That work includes working on ourselves, working in community with the church, and working to spread the Good News.

Today, we are confronted with DO. We know we are to obey, we know we are to work, but what are we to do? And why do we do it?

We will discover that as we DO we are lights shining in the darkness of the world around us. In what manner does your light shine?

Do All (Everything)

The admonition (command) from God, through Paul, is to Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,” .

Some translations say, “Do everything.” Whether all things or everything the command does not leave wiggle room for some things or a few things or those things that really don’t matter. To God, everything a Christian does, or says, matters because we are his children and should reflect the character of our Father.

No Grumbling or Disputing

Paul follows the command “Do all things...” with a negative description of the manner in which we are to do all things. “Without grumbling or disputing.” Grumbling is familiar to us all. Have you ever told someone something and heard them mutter under their breath but you couldn’t quite make it out? “What did you just say?” Sometimes grumbling is out loud griping and complaining because you don’t like the way life is working out? Disputing carries with it the idea of reasoning but for wrong or evil desires. We use our God-given gift of logic to rationalize our grumbling or try to logically show why God is wrong in the present circumstance. Either way, we are questioning God and his Sovereignty. We are telling God he don’t know what he is doing and we give him the reasons why.

The phrase “grumbling and disputing (arguing)” is an allusion to Israel in the Old Testament.

In the beginning of the Exodus, after God has brought the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, they are on their way to Mount Sinai. On the way there in Exodus 15:24-16:12 some form of the word grumble is mentioned nine times.

At the end of 40 years in the wilderness, standing on the border of the promised land, what does the Bible tell us in Numbers 11:1, 14:26-30, 16:41, 17:10 ? Grumbling again. So much so that God’s anger is aroused and he tells the people in Numbers 14:26-32 “And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.”

Blameless and Innocent

The result of doing all things without grumbling or disputing is an indication of our inner heart. It’s not that we have to work our way to blamelessness and innocence. We have to allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to work and will in our lives.

In other words, we allow the character of our Father to shine in our lives. Being light in the world requires us to be blameless and innocent. We show ourselves to be blameless and innocent in the same manner as Jesus did in his life. The world won’t know what to do with us because we act so weird.

Without blemish (or fault) hearkens back to the sacrificial system. Any sacrifice offered to the Lord had to be without blemish. God would not accept impure sacrifices and Israel got themselves in trouble many times because of blemished or faulty sacrifices. This concept finds its ultimate consummation in Jesus as the Paschal Lamb.

Peter echoes Paul’s thoughts in this verse in 1 Peter 1:13-21 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

Going back to being blameless and innocent. How can we offer ourselves as a pleasing sacrifice to God as blemished as we are? Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” It is only through the imputed righteousness of Jesus. But that does not absolve us from obeying, working, and doing in becoming more conformed to the image of Jesus.

Is our light bright in blamelessness and innocence?

Crooked and Perverse Generation

Again, Paul goes back to the Israelites in the Exodus with this next phrase, “…in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.” He does however flip the application. In Deuteronomy 32 Moses and Aaron are given a song by God that they are to sing to the people. In the first part of this song we find

Deuteronomy 32:5 “They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation.”

So, the original application was to Israel in the wilderness. But isn’t that what unbelieving people are since the fall of Man? Are they not like Israel in the wilderness? Praising and worshipping all manner of idols and false gods yet grumbling and disputing with the true God? Paul tells us in

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Peter, after the coming of the Holy Spirit, as he is preaching in Jerusalem says:

Acts 2:40 “And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.””

Only the blameless and innocent can be saved from a crooked and perverse generation. But only those called by God through faith and given salvation through his grace can in any way be called blameless and innocent. Is our light bright because of God’s grace or is it getting dimmer and about to extinguish because we love the crooked and perverse more than God?

Shine

Lights in the World

So as we do all things without grumbling or disputing and as we are blameless and innocent under the blood of Christ, then we shine a lights in the world. It’s interesting the differences there are in translating this phrase. I have seen “lights in the world,” “stars in the world,” “stars in the skies,” and “light in the world.” Whatever the translation we understand the meaning. We understand that light is a metaphor and we are not considered actual lights. But, there are three main purposes of light that, in a metaphorical sense, parallel our lives in Christ.

Light dispels the darkness

Part of our work in this world is to bring the works of darkness into the light so they can be seen for what they are and make them manifest to those who do them.

Ephesians 5:8-16 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

John 3:16-21 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.””

Light illuminates hazards and pitfalls

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

John 12:35 “So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.”

Luke 11:33-36 ““No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.””

We are to use our light not only to make manifest the works of darkness but to illuminate hazards and pitfalls before us and others. We can help other believers, and ourselves, stay on the straight and narrow.

Light is welcoming

But our light should be more than that.

AMG Bible Illustrations Accentuate the Positive

In revival services, a young evangelist preached the severity of God’s judgment on many of societies’ ills. In the spirit of love, the older and wiser pastor approached him after a service and instead of showering compliments on him, said simply, “Young man, don’t kick the darkness, turn on the light.”

If you think about your front porch light when you arrive home in the darkness, you know how welcoming that can be. A light shining in the dark is a symbol of hope, of home, of security, of life itself. Remember the stories you have heard about someone lighting a candle in a window and keeping it lit until their loved one comes home.

Isn’t that what God has done for us? Sending the light of the world to us to be one of us? A Light that shines as a welcoming beacon in order for those made in God’s image to find their way home. We are now bearers of that light and, as such, should be drawing people to God.

Daniel 12:1-4 ““At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.””

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Is the light shining from you a welcoming light?

Holding Fast

All of this sounds like a huge effort. I am fallen, I am weak, I am easily led astray. How can God expect me to do all of this?

We do it by holding fast - grasping firmly, tightly grabbing a hold of and not letting go - to the Word of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

2 Timothy 1:8-9 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”

Hebrew 10:22-24 “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,”

Don’t Let Your Light Grow Dim

There is a danger that there may be a dimming of the light within us. It is worth our while to note some of the things that bring this sad eclipse of the soul. Anything that corrupts, degrades, or debauches the soul; anything that mars its innocence, or robs it of its purity, will at the same time dull the keenness of its perception as to what is right and what is wrong. Innocence is often compared to cleanness or whiteness, while guilt is described by the words dark, black, mire, and dirt. Conscience is like a glass through which the light streams. But if we rub coal dust or smut of any sort over the glass, the light will shine through it but dimly. And if we cover the glass with a sufficient coat of filth, it will not shine through at all. So sin makes foul the glass of the soul. Where the light shines clearly and the man has no doubt at all about what is right, if he yields to temptation and sinful thoughts make conquest of him, it will be as though tar stained the glass in his window. If he continues to sin and impure thoughts come to get possession of his soul, the light from heaven will finally be shut out entirely.

AMG Bible Illustrations, Bible Illustrations Series (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2000).

We know, according to Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” So we must wrap our lives in His truth through Scripture, through prayer, through exercising our faith, through - as we are learning - obedience, working, and doing.

God’s Glory

Obey, work, do.

Do without grumbling or disputing.

Be blameless and innocent,

Shine as a light in the world.

Hold fast to the word of God.

Why?

Paul’s conclusion in Philippians 2:16 “…,so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” almost sounds like it is for Paul’s glory. If this were the only writing we had from Paul we might believe that. However, we know from other of Paul’s writings that his boasting is not in his own power or work.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.”

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 ““Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

Paul’s desire is that the Philippians persevere to the end so that at the end of time, they and Paul will be reunited. And when they are reunited it will be for the same reason as we obey, work, and do. For the Glory of God.

In what manner does your light shine?