Do everything without grumbling and arguing (Phil 2b)

Do everything without grumbling and arguing

Philippians 2:12-30

Key verse 2:14-15

Last week my family visited Harvard University to congratulate my niece on her graduation from the law school. After the graduation ceremony, she guided us into the law school buildings. Particularly the library and the classrooms were impressive. I also had a chance to walk around the campus by myself. It was interesting to walk among such smart people. However, what attracted me the most was not the smart people there but a church building in the campus. It was built almost at the same time when Harvard University was founded in 1636. It signifies that the university was founded in the spirit of the gospel. However, what I can see now is just the church building, weathered relics. I saw a few other church buildings around and they looked the same. Some of them still have Sunday service but they look empty and dead. The impression I got from them may be the same as what people see and feel from church today where there are traditions and Bible knowledge but not much of life and power. I pondered for a while, wondering how come today’s church has come to this point. We believers try to preach the gospel but the truth is that church is losing more people than winning. Why? There may be many reasons for that and I don’t know them all. But I would like to say about one thing, which is that many people leave their churches because they feel that the churches are not much different from any other human organizations in that they suffer the same kind of conflicts among them. What makes church different from the human organizations? How should we Christians be different from the worldly people?

In today’s passage, Paul teaches the Philippians how to live such a life in practice, particularly regarding their grumbling and arguing. I pray that through this passage we can grow to be mature Christians so that our church can be alive, filled with life and power.

“¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

In the previous passage, Paul explained what the life worthy of the gospel was, urging the Philippians to be like-minded as Christ did. Though Christ is in very nature God, he emptied himself, became a human and obeyed to the point of death to serve sinners. Then, God exalted him high above all to be the Lord. Jesus was glorified by obeying God with humility. In that sense, Jesus showed how our salvation should be like – humility and service and then glory. Now Paul urged them to work out their salvation in obedience to God, in the same way as Jesus did.

What does it mean to work out their salvation then? It means to work on their salvation to the end until it is concluded. Paul emphasized their own salvation in that their salvation was much more important than anything else.

Here we can learn about something very important about salvation. First, by saying “Therefore,” Paul was saying that being like-minded is not just a good virtue Christians should have but also it has to do with our salvation, which we will talk about that more. Secondly, since they should work out their salvation to the end, salvation is not a onetime event but a lifetime process that we believers should work out. In other words, our salvation is not completed yet but will be completed when Jesus comes again. (1:10)

At this, some believers might say, “The Bible says we are saved when we believe in Jesus. How come you are saying that we are not saved completely yet and need to work out that continually?” Their question is legitimate. However, salvation is much more than that.

The Salvation they think of is so-called justification, which is God’s promise that he will not judge our sins at the last day and his declaration of “not guilty” in advance for us. When we believe in Jesus, his blood washes our sins and reestablishes our broken relationship with him so that we will not be judged at the last judgment day. But while we live in the world, we believers should live a life worthy of the gospel as his children as the fruit of righteousness. Then, we will be glorified when Jesus comes again. That is the completion of our salvation. What is the fruit of righteousness then? Let’s see 1:9-11.

 “⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

The ultimate fruit of righteousness is love (see also Gal 5:22), which makes us pure and blameless so that we may be exempted from God’s judgment. And according to 2:1-8, the fruit of righteousness is characterized by humility and service for others. As he exalted Christ, God will also exalt believers who serve with humility. That will conclude our salvation.

It was a pleasure to see my niece to go through all the tough courses and finally finished her law school. We celebrated her graduation at a nice Italian restaurant in the downtown of Boston. Yet, her graduation does not mean that she is a lawyer. She must pass the Bar Exam to be a lawyer. And to be a good lawyer she should grow more in knowledge and experience, which should be her ultimate career goal. Otherwise, even the Harvard law degree does not mean much. Likewise, after believing in Jesus we should work out our salvation until it is completed so that we may not be ashamed when he comes again. He will surely see if we have the fruit of righteousness. He is the one who will decide on our final salvation and complete our salvation (1:6). That is why we should work out our salvation with the fear of God. So we should not make little of our salvation or take it for granted, but should work out our own salvation seriously.

So far in chapter 2, Paul had admonished the Philippians to be like-minded in love as Jesus Christ did for us, saying it had to do with their salvation. Now based on that he touched a practical issue that might have been among them.

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 

Grumbling means murmuring to show discontent. Arguing is reasoning that is self-based and thus leads to a confused conclusion. Interestingly, grumbling or arguing is the opposite of being like-minded. Paul had encouraged the Philippians to be like-minded by being humble and serving. (2:1-4) Now he was saying about what was not to be done in order to be like-minded.

In 4:2, Paul pleaded with two sisters to agree to each other. Probably they were influential figures in the church but they disagreed on some matters, which caused a problem in the church. That kind of problem is not uncommon in church today. Actually, many church members grumble or argue. They complain about their pastors’ messages, private life, behaviors, etc. They also criticize some other members or gossip about someone’s weaknesses. Sometimes they confront leadership or fight against other members. Some of their complaints and arguments may be legitimate. However, as a result many churches are divided by grumbling members. One church I know has been divided into two and then divided again because of grumbling and arguing among them. And many of the church members have hurt and then left. Sadly, this is the impression many secular people have about church today. They hear truth echoed in the church but they do see humility, unselfishness but complaints and arguments. Such a church cannot stand long and eventually becomes empty and lifeless like the churches in Harvard University as I mentioned earlier. The consequences of grumbling and argument in church are so serious. So, James 5:9 says that grumbling people will be judged.

“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”

Paul said to the Corinthian believers who were divided on their gifts that they would be nothing even if they had truth, knowledge and service but without love. (1 Cor 13:1-3)

But what about the church where people do everything without grumbling or arguing?

¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life.

The people in the world will see us as blameless and pure children of God. Grumbling and arguing are common in the world. In some sense, they are the way of life in a warped and crooked generation. But when they see that we believers do everything without grumbling or arguing, we will shine lights to them. Even if we lack knowledge and speak broken English but if we are like-minded, they will know that we are God’s children. It is not easy not to grumble or argue, but it is possible by holding the word of life with fear and trembling. That is what distinguishes between Christians and unbelievers. And that makes church what it is supposed to be – the church filled with thanks, joy, and love.

“And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Here we can learn what Paul’s ultimate goal and joy for his ministry. All ministers and Bible teachers want to see the fruit of their labor. I myself also want to see the fruit of my labor. But what is the fruit we should expect and bear?

If a person we have served commits himself to our ministry, can that be our boast? If we raise many disciples, can that be our boast? In some sense, we can be proud of it. However, our ultimate goal and boast should be that they live as pure and blameless children of God so that they may be like-minded without grumbling and arguing and thus the glory of God may be revealed to the world. That should be the direction of disciple making and the main goal of the church.

For that, Paul would be willing even to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of their faith. A drink offering was wine poured out on an altar along with an animal or grain sacrifice (Num 28:7). By saying this, Paul alluded to his possible death (2 Tim. 4:6) or his suffering for God’s work. In other words, Paul was willing to give his life for the Philippians to be offerings acceptable and pleasing to God. Paul showed his genuine love for the Philippians, which came from Jesus’ humility and service shown on the cross.

“¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.”

Paul wanted to send Timothy to the Philippians to encourage them to live as his word. Timothy had genuine concern for their welfare. Though many people sought their own interest, Timothy sought those of Jesus Christ, serving with Paul in the gospel to the last moment.

“²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.”

Paul also wanted to send Epaphroditus to the Philippians. He was a brother and a fellow worker and a fellow solider. He was sent by the Philippians to help Paul in prison. But he got sick and nearly died for the work of Christ, which worried the Philippians. So, Paul wanted to comfort them by sending Epaphroditus back to them.

Why then did Paul mention Timothy and Epaphroditus at this point?

Timothy was a good example who had genuine concern for others’ welfare and looked out for the interests of Jesus Christ. Epaphroditus almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the Philippians. Their minds were aligned with that of Jesus. They were humble and unselfish. They showed the fruit of salvation that came from Jesus Christ. And Paul also showed his genuine concern and care for them and the Philippians.

Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus were those who followed Jesus’ example, with humility and unselfish service. Their lives were in line with that of Jesus. Rather than grumbling and arguing, though they could have had some reasons to do so, they considered others first and served them with joy.

While in Boston last week, I had a chance to have fellowship with JK, who is the father of my niece. He has served the ministry full-time for many years. Whenever I visited his home, I saw him working hard from early morning to late night. He was a smart and able man, but he dedicated his life to Jesus since he met him about 30 years ago. He survived with a minimum payment but offered more than anyone else. Most of all, he assisted the director with a humble mind and listens to all the grumbling members. God has blessed his humility and sacrifice so that many Bible students and leaders have been raised up through his family. People know Jesus through our pure life, which are prompted by Jesus’ humility.

May God grant us many of such a faithful and humble man among us. I thank God for LL and RL who have humbly served this ministry together with my family though SS and I have many weaknesses. I pray that I myself may grow to be a humble and sacrificial man for people and for God.

In chapter two, we have learned that we believers should be like-minded with humility and service and that such a mind is the fruit of our faith and brings our salvation to completion. For that we should do everything without grumbling and arguing. The reason we grumble or ague is that we are selfish and proud. But Jesus, though he is God in the very nature, humbled himself and obeyed God to the point of death. Through his service, we are here.

While driving to Boston, my wife and I argued about which route to take. The Google map suggested us to take the way through New York, which was the shortest in terms of distance. But I would like to take a longer but more enjoyable and inexpensive way, which was going through Route 81 and 84. Anyway I took the latter and my wife grumbled about my choice. Like us, we have always grumbling and arguing in home and in church. We are not totally free from grumbling and arguing and that is our daily life unless we are super saints. So, we need to work out our salvation by being like-minded in Christ. On the way back home, however, I took the way as my wife wanted. It was shorter but we passed through many tollgates. Then, my wife realized we had saved about 60 dollars by taking a longer way when we went to Boston. So she was happy with my choice. We should know that there are so many things we should be thankful for rather than complaining. We have Jesus and so we can be content with whatever we have. I have learned that I have so many things to thank God for, particularly coworkers around me. And I came to repent of complaining about some coworkers. Each coworker is precious and God has used them, even their weaknesses, for his purposes and for my sake.

This view will make us different from the world and change our church into the kingdom of God.

Satan never bothers with the church where many people work hard but complain and grumble. But he hates the church where people serve one another with humility and love though they lack many things. So, he always tries to make us grumble because then he can rule in our lives and in our ministry. 

I pray that our ministry may be filled with love and humility and be like-minded so that people may see we are children of God and render glory to God.

by David Yun