I love the line that tells us to do all things without complaining and arguing!
If you have children, you know how difficult it is to get them to do their chores, their homework, empty the garbage, etc. Without complaining or arguing.
Image how God feels about us, his children, who argue and complain a lot about doing the right thing. Yet, Paul is telling the Philippians that this is what God asks of us.
Paul is also telling them that he hopes his work among them was not in vain. This also is a familiar sentiment of parents who worry about their children.
God knows what will make us happy, even when we think we know better than God does. He knows that living a moral life will save us a lot of pain and guilt.
He knows that prayer will keep us close to him. He also knows that obeying the law will keep us safe.
Liars can't be trusted and can't trust others; violence begets violence; envy and lead to dissatisfaction and could lead to theft; but love begets love.
When we help someone else, we have a sense of satisfaction that doing something for ourselves doesn't bring. Even if we begin whatever task it is with fear or insecurity, once we have completed the task, we feel enriched.
Whether it is serving food at a food kitchen or reading to school children, or just cooking a meal for a neighbor who is ill, we feel better afterwards. The same goes for telling someone you'll pray for them, even if they are not a believer, or attending a church function, even if it's not your church.
Whatever God is asking us to do, let's do it without complaining or arguing.
