Headlines from a local newspaper reveal the dark world in which we live. Take a quick glance at these: “Golden State killer returns to valley,” “Riverbank homeless population a rising concern for city,” “Residents want gym to pump down the volume.”[1] Two weeks later these appeared in the same newspaper, “Freight train derails near Goshen” and “Police arrest 13 men for human trafficking.”[2] These are all examples of the corrupt, dark, evil, and fallen world in which we live.
Christians have found themselves surrounded by these types of things for 2,000 years. In one of Paul’s letters he tells the believers in the city of Philippi and he tells us alive today about our job as Christians in this dark world.
First, Christians have a good attitude. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Philippians 2:14).[3] The word “grumbling” describes an utterance made in a low tone of voice. The word “disputing” describes a verbal exchange when conflicting ideas are expressed. As Christians we must have a good attitude and not grumble or dispute.
Second, Christians live upright among a crooked culture. “so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15a). The Greek word for “crooked” is skolios (σκολιός) which sounds familiar to scoliosis. Skolios is used here morally to describe someone who is crooked, unscrupulous, and dishonest. It means bent, curved, or crooked as opposed to the Christian that is straight and morally upright.
But we as Christians are to be, “Blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach.” We are already in this state right now spiritually, but we need to prove it physically to the world. The word “blameless” relates to a solid and righteous conduct. The word “innocent” here means unmixed and pure. When it says “above reproach” it means being without fault and therefore morally blameless. The New Testament uses this word to describe the Christian community (Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22). The Greek scholar AT Robertson says this means “without a spot.”[4] Another Greek grammarian says it means “unblemished in reputation and in reality.”[5]
Third, Christians shine among the darkness. “appear as lights in the world,” (Philippians 2:15b). Among that crooked and perverse generation, we should “appear as lights in the world.” We don’t need a Ph.D. to figure out how to look different as a Christian in our culture. The idea Paul is explaining here is to shine or produce light as luminaries or stars.
Here are some ways we can shine bright in the darkness: quietly pray over our lunch in the breakroom at work; when some classmates or friends gossip, we politely excuse ourselves; when someone is struggling we stop what we are doing and pray with them; or we write an encouraging note in a card to a non-Christian friend that we know has been having a hard time.
The potential to shine is easy, but it is hard work because it doesn’t come naturally, it is the opposite of everyone else, and because it often has a cost (either financially, emotionally, socially, or with time).
Fourth, Christians hold on to the word of life. “holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain” (Philippians 2:16). When it says “holding fast the word of life” that could be translated as “holding forth.” It likely means that we hold on to the word of life as it helps us live righteously. Pastor J. Vernon McGee describes the important point for us, “Life and light are related. When we hold forth the Word of Life, we are lights in the world.”[6]
Our job as Christians is not to wave our “white flag” and retreat from our culture and community (even though that’s tempting to do). Yes, there are certain things we should abstain from, but we are supposed to be engaged in our culture so that we can stand out and look different. Our job as Christians—according to the apostle Paul in Philippians 2:14-16—is to have a good attitude, live upright in a crooked culture, shine among the darkness, and hold onto the word of life.
[1] The Sun-Gazette Newspaper, Exeter, CA. November 11, 2020.
[2] The Sun-Gazette Newspaper, Exeter, CA. November 25, 2020.
[3] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.
[4] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933).
[5] Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 3 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 439.
[6] J. Vernon McGee, Philippians and Colossians (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 55.