The Remedy for Grumbling
10/8 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 11; Philippians 2; Ezekiel 41; Psalms 92-93
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
10/8 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 11; Philippians 2; Ezekiel 41; Psalms 92-93
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
COMPLAINING
We are all prone to grumbling and complaining. One would think it would be otherwise. Immediately after the apostle expresses the blessings of Christ’s incarnation and crucifixion (Phil 2:5-8), explains Christ’s exaltation by God because of it (Phil 2:9-11), encourages our responsibility as those saved by God’s grace through it (Phil 2:12), and reminds us of God’s sovereign work of grace in our lives to empower us to serve Him with godly fear and trembling (Phil 2:13), then Paul exhorts us to live a life without grumbling or disputing. This is an incredibly logical sequence since the corruptions still remaining in our mortal flesh oppose the gospel. We read about it eight days ago:
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17
Oh, how merciful is our God and Savior, who warns us of the pitfalls awaiting us! Not only does our corrupt flesh hate the gospel, the principalities and demonic powers in the unseen realm (Eph 6:12) despise the gospel as well. What is our protection against these oppositions? The Lord Jesus Christ tells us through the apostle in the verses following, that we must hold…
…fast to the Word of life… Philippians 2:16
“What Word of Life?” one may ask. Why, the entire truth of Scripture which speaks of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation; but more specifically, the blessed truth that God, the eternal Word (John 1:1-3), humbled Himself to become an obedient Servant to die upon the cross (Phil 2:5-8), that He is exalted above all things (Phil 2:9-11), that His salvation by grace through faith is transforming (Phil 2:12) and empowering (Phil 2:13), and therefore we may live joyfully as true witnesses of God’s amazing and sovereign grace (Phil 2:14-16, 18). Hallelujah! What a sovereign Savior!
Yes, our flesh has the tendency
To grumble and complain;
Hold fast to Christ’s excellency,
This letter does explain.