‘Fear and trembling’ versus ‘complaining and arguing’. Phil 2
I’ve come across a couple of references to Philippians 2 recently which are worth considering. Paul appeals to the Philippian Church, because of their unity with Christ and fellowship with the Spirit;
…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil 2: 2, 3
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Phil 2: 5, 6
Apparently there were ‘complaining and arguing’ in the church and Paul urged them to have a change of attitude and follow Christ’s example as a servant. He’d previously told them to
— continue to work out your salvation with ‘fear and trembling’, for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU TO WILL AND TO ACT ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PURPOSE. Phil 2:13
Paul wanted them to stand out from those around them;
…become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you SHINE (Paul wants his spiritual children to Shine, so does the Lord) like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. Phil 2:15
Israel wanted to be like the other peoples/nations but God said it would never happen; nor will the Church.
Ruth Prince (Derek’s second wife) was lying ill in a Catholic Hospital in America, too weak to read her Bible. The senior sister was passing and asked if she could do anything for her. Ruth asked her to read the Bible to her, from Phil 2. The sister remarked that it was the scripture that had been read at her institution to her office in the hospital. She read the chapter and then told Ruth about a time of teaching with a Trappist Monk and a few of the sisters. Trappists take a ‘Vow of Silence’, but occasionally they are allowed to go and share what God has spoken to them in the stillness!
The monk had said to the small group of sisters;
Pray to Desire, Not to want to be Esteemed, Secure or in Control.
That’s a challenging prayer and not for the faint hearted, but it does give God control and reduces the role of our Ego. God arranged that the monk’s message, only shared with a small group of sisters, should be transmitted to a much wider audience through an international ministry. God wanted the message shared much more widely than just the few nuns and orchestrated that encounter.
God wants the Church to serve Him in ‘Fear and Trembling’, where and when He directs. ‘Complaining and arguing’ are a sure sign that our fleshly egos are dominant.
God bless and keep you today and give you a heart to serve in Spirit and in truth.