Light Up Your World
Philippians 2:12-30
In Philippians 2:12-30, Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to be witnesses of the gospel in the culture in which they lived. He urged them to shine “as lights in the world” (v. 15). How can believers shine as lights in a dark world?
First, believers should live a life of obedience to the Word of God. The phrase “work out your own salvation” is not a reference to earning your way to Heaven through good works. The phrase refers to the human element in the process of sanctification. Believers should constantly work to grow in their obedience to Christ. Disobedience and a lack of biblical living bring reproach from nonbelievers. A growing, dynamic Christian life will “shine” in the midst of darkness.
Second, believers should avoid complaining among themselves. Paul did not provide the details of the quarreling and discontent that was taking place in the church at Philippi. However, we can assume some type of disharmony was afoot from Paul’s rebuke in verse 14. He stated, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” The complaining Paul mentioned was probably one believer complaining against another. Paul here used the language and example of the Old Testament. As the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, they repeatedly complained against the Lord. In Deuteronomy 32:5 and 20, Moses called the Israelites “a perverse and crooked generation.” Believers must be willing to be selfless and display for the world the proper way to solve disputes. Paul warned about being self-seeking in 2:3-4. Paul stated, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” He admonished the Philippians to put others first for the sake of unity. When this doesn’t happen, discontent and disunity destroy the witness of the church.
Third, believers were to hold forth the word of life (v. 16). “Hold fast” in verse 16 has the sense of “holding forth.” The believers in Philippi were called to hold forth the “word of life” to their community by the way they lived and the words they spoke. Their lives were to be so lived as to present the gospel to unbelievers by their conduct. Believers are to shine as lights “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (v. 15). The church is not to separate, shun, or be like the world, but live “in the midst” of the world as lights. Shining for Christ can be easy at church on Sunday morning, but what about at school or at work? Believers are to shine “in the midst” of the world.
Melton– Lessons by Frankie Melton, pastor of Heath Springs Baptist Church, Heath Springs. He has a B.A. degree from Charleston Southern University, and a Ph.D. and M.Div. from Southern Seminary.