Shine
Like Stars
By
Shelby
G. Floyd
Scripture says that the things that happened during the Old Testament
economy were examples for God’s people today. “Now these things occurred as
examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did” (1
Corinthians 10:6). Then the author gave an example of conduct that displeased
God and which he punished severely: “And do not grumble, as some of them
did—and were killed by the destroying angel” (1 Corinthians
Do
Everything without Arguing
In
the New Testament, we have the same warning given concerning the sin of
complaining:
“Do everything without complaining or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a
crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ
that I did not run or labor for nothing” (Philippians 2:14-16).
Examples
of Grumbling
We have
many examples of people murmuring, complaining and grumbling during the life
of Christ and the apostles. Some complained because a lady showed her love for
Christ in an extravagant way. “Some of those present were saying indignantly
to one another, ‘Why this waste of
perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money
given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.” (Mark 14:3-9).
Others complained because they felt like they were unfairly treated. (Matthew
20:1-12). Still there were some who grumbled that Jesus did not associate with
the right people, even though he came to call sinners to repentance (Luke
Complaining
is Discouraging to Others
Complaining
becomes a habit and is discouraging to those who are trying to serve the Lord. Let
each of us be a positive influence for Christ by being an encourager of others.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become
blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved
generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the
word of life.” Let us shine like stars! Copyright © 2008