Do everything without grumbling or arguing…
Summary: We begin our examination of this passage by focusing on the concept of arguing.
I try not to grumble. I really do! I especially try not to grumble in church or about church. After all, if churches were only for perfect people, I’d never be allowed in!
Yet, here is Paul, speaking to an early church, and he flat-out tells them, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing…”
What then?
How do we deal with the things that make us want to grumble or argue?
The Bible provides a lot of guidance on this topic, so let’s look at what might make us want to grumble and argue.
Arguments are, perhaps, the easiest to identify. Someone says something we don’t agree with, or we say something others don’t agree with. An opposing opinion is voiced, and what was a moment of sharing becomes a wrestling match. After all, if my opinion is right, you must be wrong, and it is my Christian duty to correct you.
Isn’t that what Paul did to those he disagreed with? Didn’t Jesus himself take on the Pharisees?
Well, yes. Both of those examples are true. Paul often spoke against the circumcision group, and Jesus was frequently having to confront the Pharisees. It is also true that they have something you and I don’t have. Both men carried the mantle of personal authority.
Jesus’ authority comes from the fact that he is God’s Son. When he speaks, he is not speaking from a personal opinion. He is speaking as a representative of God himself. As Jesus points out, he and the Father are one (John 10:30).
The reason that the Pharisees disagreed with him was that they did not recognize his authority. If they had, their attitude toward him would have been very different — much more in line with the way Nicodemus treated Jesus.*
In the same way, Paul’s disagreements with the Circumcision Group were not a matter of opinion. Paul speaks with the authority given to him by Jesus. He is very careful to distinguish between his own opinion and God’s Word.
So, where does that leave us?
Do any of us have the same authority as Jesus? Has Jesus anointed any new Pauls? Do you or I have the authority to decide what is right by God?
All of us have opinions. The problem seems to be that we can become rather attached to our opinions. Sometimes our opinions come to be seen as core beliefs. When that happens, we are well along the path to an argument. Paul says:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
If we knew nothing else but this passage and our Lord Jesus, there would be no more arguments in the church.
Application: The next time you feel your emotions rising, picture Jesus next to you. After all, he is.
Food for Thought: What is the antidote to feeling self-important?
*See John 3, 7:50, 19:39
What is the antidote to feeling self-important?
Crucifixion?
Yep. That would do it!
Thanks T!
What is the antidote to feeling self-important?
Self-importance refers to an inflated sense of our own importance, abilities, or achievements, AND a lack of empathy towards others. Self-importance will see humility as a weakness and block the reality of our brokenness before Christ, which has led to our salvation.
Paul is a perfect example of a man who as a Proud Pharisee of the Pharisees persecuted all Believers.
Acts 26:9-11, Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them . And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Later, as a humbled believer, with great courage and humility, Paul was inspired to live and write, Phillippians.
Philippians 2:5-11, Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Galatians 5:22-23 teaches, “The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Humility and self-control.”
Thank you Ron!
Well said.
What is the antidote to feeling self-important?
I think the antidote to feeling self-important is sober judgement. I take sober judgement to mean not to be “intoxicated” with emotion, including “feeling” an importance of self. I don’t think that feeling is rooted in truth, but rather focuses on the aspects of truth that validate pride in our own accomplishments or abilities, rather than recognize that everything comes from God.
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Thanks, Chris.
That is an important insight. Emotions are, by nature, unstable and fleeting. Sober judgment based on truth is rock solid.
Well said!