Last week I discussed the value of having a box—whether real or symbolic—into which we could put our grumblings and complaints so that we could “be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Phil. 2:14a).
I found it interesting that if we just put away those two things what the result would be: Blameless. Innocent. Children of God without blemish.
But there is one more benefit for leaving our discontent unvoiced.
The second part of verse 14 extends the effect by saying--“among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
That made me think of a second box. A box that illustrates those attributes that the world will see and those we would like them to see as a result of our obedience to Jesus: generosity, peace, unity, thankfulness, gentleness, kindness—every fruit of the spirit.
So I have made myself another box, and in it I have placed a little light and a few of those attributes to look at each week as reminders of what I would like the world to see in me.
But most importantly, I need to remember the beginning of verse 16 which says, “holding fast to the word of life . . . ,” for the only way that those attributes will genuinely flow from me and be a light is if I am securely and constantly connected to the source—Jesus.
I found it interesting that if we just put away those two things what the result would be: Blameless. Innocent. Children of God without blemish.
But there is one more benefit for leaving our discontent unvoiced.
The second part of verse 14 extends the effect by saying--“among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
That made me think of a second box. A box that illustrates those attributes that the world will see and those we would like them to see as a result of our obedience to Jesus: generosity, peace, unity, thankfulness, gentleness, kindness—every fruit of the spirit.
So I have made myself another box, and in it I have placed a little light and a few of those attributes to look at each week as reminders of what I would like the world to see in me.
But most importantly, I need to remember the beginning of verse 16 which says, “holding fast to the word of life . . . ,” for the only way that those attributes will genuinely flow from me and be a light is if I am securely and constantly connected to the source—Jesus.
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