Young People's Group

Being Children of God Distinctively in a Perverse World

by Mitchell Tan
October 17, 2018

HAVING BOTH BAD AND GOOD EXPERIENCES

Experiences play an important part in being a child of God. There can be both bad and good experiences. The Philippian Church went through bad experiences like being persecuted for Christ’s sake (Philippians 1:29-30). They went through similar conflicts as Paul did. They had to learn not to be terrified by adversaries of the gospels and to stand fast as one. The Philippians also had good experiences of the Lord’s blessings. The apostle Paul wrote of how these experiences should impact the life of the Philippians and their effects would flow to others.

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, If any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfil my joy by being like-minded”
Philippians 2:1-2

The Philippians had experienced much comfort and fellowship in the sphere of the Lord Jesus. The apostle Paul had shown them much love and affection (Philippians 1:8). They had experienced deep fellowship with him. They were meant to respond by being like-mindedness and to be a source of blessing to others.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE LORD JESUS IN BEING A SERVANT

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
Philippians 2:5

Paul also wanted the Philippians to have the mind of Christ. His mindset was one that exemplified what it meant to be totally humble before the Lord God.

The Lord Jesus, even though he was fully God at all times, chose to totally empty himself of all his rights and privileges. He epitomised what it meant to have a servant’s mindset. The Lord Jesus took on the form of a slave. He came to be among us as one who serves (Luke 22:27). He was totally obedient to His Father to the very end even the death on the cross. Let’s follow the example of the Lord Jesus by having His mindset.

THE EXPRESSION OF TRUE SALVATION

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”
Philippians 2:12

It was also important for the Philippians to understand what it meant to have salvation. If they did, it would express itself in definite ways. The Philippians were meant to work out their salvation with obedience to God and with reverence for Him.

The word “work out” in this context has the idea of working hard because of our salvation in Christ. Our salvation, if it is truly real, will cause us to labour hard and achieve all that we need to for the Lord. We would do this with love for the Lord and with the highest regard for Him. The Lord will work in our life to do His will.

THE CHALLENGE TO BEING CHILDREN OF GOD DISTINCTIVELY

“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”
Philippians 2:14

When we truly appreciate the Lord’s blessings, the example of the Lord Jesus and our salvation in Christ, we would indeed seek to live distinctively. We would seek to be totally different from the world. One of the ways to do this is to not complain about each other and to dispute with each other. The challenge is to be distinct and different from this crooked and perverse generation.

Everything was to be done without any murmuring or disputing so that they would be blameless, harmless, children without fault in this world. Paul had written earlier of how they were to abound in love with all discernment that they may choose that which was excellent. And in doing this, they would be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ (Philippians 1:10).

Young people, let’s learn how to do all things i.e. in school, at home, serving in Church, etc. without complaining and disputing. Let’s seek to shine forth as light in this dark world.

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