What should Christians do? Stop complaining, be positive

Published 9:49 pm Friday, September 30, 2005

By Staff
There are many expectations of those who are called Christians. The most common accusation heard is, "Hypocrite!"
A hypocrite is one who holds to a body of truth, but does not demonstrate that truth in life situations. There will always be "nay-sayers" and "nit pickers" - those who could find something wrong with anything - but Jesus was clear about who Christians are and what they should do.
Jesus said in Matthew, chapter 5, verse 14, about His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." Jesus continued in verse 16 of Matthew 5, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
What should Christians do? They should live ordinary lives in an extra-ordinary way.
Trouble comes to all. It is a testimony to the world when a Christian, strong in faith, can face great calamity with grace. In past days and even now in parts of the world, there is strong testimony when Christians are martyred with a song on their lips and love in their eyes.
Few of us will likely face the sword standing for our faith, nor will we be showcased in our distresses, but the Apostle Paul in the epistle to the Philippians gives us some very practical handles on living a counter-cultural life.
Paul said in Philippians, chapter 2, verse 14,"Do all things without complaining and disputing." A universal human tendency is to complain. Most of life's circumstances are beyond our control: the weather, society, culture, and all those people putting pressure on us by just being alive. Paul says not to complain. The opposite of complaining is not necessarily pious thanks for every negative situation. You can really grate people if you are too vocal in shallow platitudes about everything. Paul said to do all things without complaining. The best testimony is to do what needs to be done in stride and with grace.
Paul also said to do all things without disputing. There is no doubt that we have a better way of doing everything. We think our ideas and taste reign supreme; thus, we dispute and argue when given orders, assignments, etc. We should be faithful to give an honest opinion when asked, but when we are given direction, we should not dispute or argue; we should simply do what we are told.
Paul gives the result of gracious compliance in verse 15 of Philippians 2, "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." Blameless, harmless, children of God without fault-those are the qualities we aspire to. We will jump a plane and go to the most remote place possible to practice sacrificial Christianity. But God says just live every day where you are without complaining and arguing.
We crave the radical, but what is more radical than living without complaining? Think through your average day. Delete all complaining, disputing, and arguing. What would your day look like without those common activities? Would people who know you, recognize you without all the normal verbiage? Would your children or your mate think they are in the wrong car when they hear blessing or silence rather than all the normal ranting and raving about the daily circumstances.
What should Christians do? Be revolutionary in our lives; stop complaining and arguing. This "crooked and perverse generation," in Paul's words, could not help but notice. Our light must pierce the darkness that is all around us in the everyday affairs of life.