By Evangelist Daniel Aboluwarin
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)
“All things”? “Do all things without complaining and disputing?” How is that practicable?
To complain is to express feelings of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment. The same word is rendered as ‘grumble’ in some other Bible translations.
Many Christians find it very difficult to relate with the Bible passage quoted above. They think that complaining about anything that does not conform with their own accepted standard is part of their duties as Christians. Most people have abandoned their calling, as believers in Christ, to take up the duty of social critics.
Do you really want to become a blameless, harmless and faultless child of God amidst crooked and perverse people? The only way out is given in the quote above.
All attempts to make Christ be a social critic were roundly rejected by Him. In Luke 13:1-3, He was told of the atrocity perpetrated by Herod when he mingled the blood of certain Galileans with their own sacrifices. Our Lord did not utter a word of condemnation on Herod or the victims of his cruelty. He simply brought out a teaching on repentance.
In another place, He was asked whether it was okay to pay tribute to Caesar or not. There is no single record of a place where our Lord turned to a social critic. He did not fall for that temptation! His mission was to do the will of God and complete it. It is a completely different ballgame if the preaching of the gospel indicted anyone. The Lord never went out of His way to saddle Himself with the work of a social critic.
I constantly asked myself how easy it is to do ALL THINGS without complaining in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. How should we react to the crooked and perverse behaviour of people around us, especially those in the positions of responsibility? Should we just go on without complaining about such?
What positive results had our previous complaints achieved? The Holy Spirit showed me that the simple secret is in the attitude of thanksgiving for practically ALL THINGS.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV)
“IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS”?That instruction looks like a universal one. One who gives thanks IN EVERYTHING (without exception) can NEVER enlist in the ministry of complaining.
Before complaining, you have to, first of all, judge and condemn. But our Lord commanded us not to judge or condemn (Luke 6:37).
In Ephesians 5:20, Apostle Paul makes it more explicit: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (KJV)
GIVING THANKS ALWAYS? GIVING THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS?
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. (1Timothy 2:1 KJV). How are we expected to give thanks for all men? ALL MEN?Does the Holy Spirit mean ALL MEN without exceptions? No natural man or carnal person will be able to operate in such a realm!
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17 KJV)
“Whatever you do, do all…”Is it possible to complain, grumble, judge, agitate, or condemn “in the name of the Lord”?
Before complaining, you have to, first of all, judge and condemn. But our Lord commanded us not to judge or condemn (Luke 6:37).
Giving of thanks is again emphasised in Ephesians 5:4:”Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” (KJV)
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15 KJV).
God is in the habit of answering prayers and not in responding to complaints. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
The only pathway to holiness is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in words and deed. Complaining, grumbling, agitating, resenting and such likes will never promote holiness. They are not useful ‘assets’ on your Christian journey.
“There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness.” (Proverbs 30:12)
Have you been washed from the filthiness of complaining or grumbling?
Of all the people who were saved from the bondage of Egypt, complainers were not included among those who made it to the Promised Land: they all perished in the wilderness!
“When the Son of Man shall come, will He find faith on the earth?”Will He find you and I in the kind of Faith preached and practiced by the early disciples of the Lord?
You are solely responsible for your own response!
Evangelist Daniel Aboluwarin, a disciple of Jesus Christ and a farmer, lives in Osogbo. 08034678488.
