Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Philippians chapter 2:
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,
15 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,
Why do we continue our pursuit toward full maturing in Christ in order to counted among the Sons? It is because FATHER is in us WHO gives us the desire and the power to bring forth this effort. That in itself should be cause for celebration. This why we should do all things without complaining or disputing but walk out each day with gratitude because of who we are IN CHRIST.
The crooked and perverse generation all around us would have us take on their characteristics rather than FATHER’S. We must guard our hearts as we walk out our individual callings and let our lights shine in the world. We must refrain from entering into the arguments of the world for their various situations are temporary and subject to change at any time. We must keep our peace while the heathen rage all around us.
The greater the darkness, the greater the contrast when light arrives on the scene. Light always overcomes darkness. Psalm 82 equates darkness to lack of understanding which causes instability:
4 Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.
5 They do not know, nor do they understand;
They walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are unstable.
FATHER’S Word is pure light and when man’s opinions, customs, and/or traditions are added, the light is reduced by the departure from The Word. Where there is no Word, darkness prevails. In Matthew 6 Jesus spoke:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
In the above passage, Jesus speaks of wealth and associates it with “your eye is good thus your whole body will be full of light”. If you are generous and a cheerful giver then you have light in you whereas if you lay up temporary treasures for yourself without regard to those in need then you have great darkness within. The world would try to place us in bondage by mortgaging our future with things we don’t really need. If we have monthly obligations which consume our income then it becomes difficult to be a cheerful giver.
Each of us has a responsibility to listen to FATHER as we make daily decisions which impact our future. We must seek HIS Wisdom which is pure light and we must let that light be our guide as we navigate this crooked and perverse generation. The system wants our cash for their benefit without regard to our future. FATHER wants us to fulfill HIS Will and do HIS good pleasure without being limited by past mistakes. Each of us should give and assist as HE leads us. In doing that our lights will grow brighter and be a testimony unto those around us. We are not obligated to support institutions of man’s doctrines, traditions, or customs even though they may attempt to make us feel guilty if we withhold our support. If they bear no fruit, then why support the dead? Let us focus on the living and fruitful works of FATHER which may not be connected with any institution. Let our lights grow brighter in the darkness we each encounter each day.