Lights in the World

12 Therefore, my beloved, (A)as you have always (B)obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for (C)it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for (D)his good pleasure.

14 Do all things (E)without grumbling or (F)disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, (G)children of God (H)without blemish (I)in the midst of (J)a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine (K)as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to (L)the word of life, so that in (M)the day of Christ (N)I may be proud that (O)I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be (P)poured out as a drink offering upon (Q)the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

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Do Everything Without Grumbling

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,(A) 13 for it is God who works in you(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.(C)

14 Do everything without grumbling(D) or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless(E) and pure, “children of God(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a](G) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ(H) that I did not run(I) or labor in vain.(J) 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering(K) on the sacrifice(L) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(M) 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5

Rejoicing Together

12-13 What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.

17-18 Even if I am executed here and now, I’ll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ’s altar, a part of your rejoicing. But turnabout’s fair play—you must join me in my rejoicing. Whatever you do, don’t feel sorry for me.

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