Philippians 2:14-15
14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [KJV]
ESV- no grumbling or questioning
NASB- no grumbling or disputing
Amplified- no grumbling, faultfinding, complaining, questioning and doubting
Message- no bickering, no second-guessing allowed
Obviously the Message Bible has the most accurate and detailed interpretation. :) But with almost any translation, I think this verse 14 is very clear to us. It says do ALL THINGS without these accompaniments. Or in another way, DO NOTHING with grumbling. This passage hit home hard again. We as Christians have a goal or purpose in our lives - or at least we are supposed to. If we believe that all things we do are a small piece to get to that goal, then why should there ever by any doubting or bad feelings about not doing it.
Colossians tells us to do ALL things unto God (3:23 -And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;). James tells us to ask always in faith, not in doubt (1:6,7 - But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.). And then Romans says every ACTION not of faith is wrong (14:23 - And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.).
We are to have a clear conviction about our daily activities in life. Let us seeks God's will daily for what job to be at (then we would be sure not to grumble at that job knowing that God wants us there), what school to go to (homework would not discourage us either), how we spend our time and with what people we hang out with (fights and conflicts would not harm our drive, knowing that God placed them in our lives either to influence or be influenced by), etc. Knowing God's role and will in any activity each day would give us so much more look forward to in accomplishing it. As we rely on God, we will be as the verse says, "Lights of the world" shining and bringing the glory of God to more places on this earth.

1 Comments:
Brian, thanks for pointing to the application of this verse to our jobs. I've been convicted recently of doing exactly what Paul commends us not to do. So often I grumble to myself and others about not being content with where God has me.
Amen to what you said about being in prayer daily about where we are in life.
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