Shine Like Stars

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Scripture

Phil. 2:14   Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15 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.

Observation

God’s people are to partner together in the reconciling mission placed before them. Within the church there is to be a healing of relationships so that nothing can damage the church’s witness. If the church will conduct herself above reproach, her witness within the community will greatly increase. Paul repeats language from Deuteronomy that describes the world as “a crooked and perverse generation.” The intent is for God’s children to be radically different in the world, shining brightly like stars because of the words that they speak, and the lives that they live.  

Application

We have to admit that even within the life of the church there are times that we may become frustrated with one another. There is the temptation to murmur and argue, especially when we feel defensive. This isn’t just in the life of the church, but it’s in the Christian home, and among Christian friends. The witness of Christ is damaged when sisters and brothers cannot figure out how to get along with one another. 

The reality is that most of us will continue to deal with selfishness, whether intentionally or not. Far too often we want things to happen our way and so we may murmur or grumble, or even argue. Not all disagreement is dealt with in a public debate, but often results in manipulation that goes on behind the scenes. Power plays are also a form of murmur and grumbling. Anything that happens outside of the light of transparency, for the purpose of manipulation is to murmur and argue. 

Paul likes to focus on the positive and so he draws us all into the place of living blameless and innocent lives. While we may think that our world situation is unique, it appears that there has always been a crooked and perverse generation in which believers were to stand against the culture, shining as stars. Culture would like us to believe that hate and discord are normal. Spirit-filled believers are radically changed, and they reveal this by the ways in which they get along with one another and reflect the love of the Triune God to the world. That’s how they shine as stars, because it’s God’s love that is reflected in all of its beauty. 

Prayer

Lord, please lead us to a place of peace and reflection of your holy love. Amen. 

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