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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 6, NUMBER 30, JULY 30, 2006 IT IS NOT ABOUT ME! I have mentioned many times in the past that my continued study of the New Testament has convinced me that a vital key to my living as a faithful child of God is recognizing that I am not the most important person. It is not about me! Perhaps no other passage so clearly teaches that essential truth as does the second chapter of the letter to the Philippians. Just consider verses 1-4. Paul wrote, “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” The intriguing thing that I have encountered concerning this passage is that folks will read it and come away thinking of how others are not as spiritually minded as they are, thinking, “So and so sure needs to read that and be more like me!” Such thinking happens to be an example of the very type of attitude Paul was seeking to eradicate from the hearts of the Philippian brethren. Actually, to summarize the passage we should realize that we need to subordinate our own interests to the interests of others. What is best for the church? What is best for my fellow Christians? Not what is best for me, or what do I personally like the best? What better example could there possibly be of just such an attitude than the Lord Jesus? Verse 5 tells us, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Jesus epitomized the attitude of selflessness, not selfishness. He was humble minded, thinking of others and not of Himself alone, or even primarily. Such an attitude was manifested in His coming to this earth and dying. Because that was true, Paul wrote in verses 12-16, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” It is not my intention to offer an in-depth exegesis of this passage in this article. Rather, I simply want to note that Paul is exhorting the Philippians to conduct themselves according to the pattern that had been set for them by Christ. Part of that humility, part of that willingness to serve others, part of that self-sacrificial attitude that should be manifested in their lives, was to “do all things without grumbling and disputing.” This I do want to look more closely at. “Grumblings” (goggusmon) means, “complaint, displeasure, expressed in murmurings.” The word is used to describe outward wranglings of discontent. We find the same word being used in a number of different places in scripture and looking at a few of them will help us to better understand its meaning. In John 6:41, we read, “The Jews therefore were grumbling about Him, because He said, ‘I am the bread that came down out of heaven.” In verse 43, we find, “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do not grumble among yourselves.” Down in verse 61, it appears again, “But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, ‘Does this cause you to stumble?” The second word was “disputing.” There are three different views expressed concerning this word as it is used here. Some see it as meaning divided or diverse reasonings, and if silent, than equally “doubts.” Others think it means divided or diverse reasonings that are expressed – a more normal idea of disputes. Still others think that it refers to inner strife of an individual’s heart. I believe that the context, as well as other places in scripture where the word is used, indicates that it has reference to open discussion – the more normal concept of disputes. One thing that we do know for certain is that in Philippians 2:14, “grumbling” and “disputing” are closely related and indicate the same basic idea of dissatisfaction and doubt. Is it possible that any of us could be described as one who has been dissatisfied, a complainer, filled with displeasure, and has sought to push his or her own ideas and desires? The world outside is difficult enough. A congregation of the Lord’s people should be an oasis where we can come and feed upon the word of the Lord, bask in the wonderful comfort of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and know that we all have the best interest of each other before self in our hearts. What is in the best interest of this congregation, of the brothers and sisters who make it up? Are your thoughts, your words and your deeds truly to that end? “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Greg Litmer Don’t give up
until the task is done. The crucible of
controversy requires your best. When your heart is
broken over those who stray, Don’t give up
until the task is done.
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