Light in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. . .

I have been given the privilege (challenge) to teach a middle school girls'  Bible study on the following words this week:

Phil 2: 14-18: "Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me."

What words to dwell on as I simultaneously dwell on the beheading of 21 Egyptian brothers. My initial reaction to the mass martyrdom was shock and sorrow, these emotions remain and yet they are slightly attenuated by the passage above. Paul wrote those words from prison, as he was facing a very possible execution. Stuart Briscoe, in his commentary "Bound for Joy," had this to say about Paul's words:

The expression "offered" is a striking one straight from the Old Testament. The priests, when they offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people, would sometimes pour wine on the sacrifice. This was called a libation. When Paul thinks of the possibility of his blood being poured out in martyrdom, he sees it as a libation on the sacrifice of the Philippian believers' faith. In other words, he is presenting the believing Philippians as his offering to God, and his own poured-out life as an added libation. And all this is designed to bring delight to the Lord he serves. 

As I read these words, I was challenged by the lives of my Egyptian brothers. They are lights in the world, and ISIS has NOT extinguished their flames by beheading them. They held fast to the word of life, that is the truth of Salvation by the cleansing blood of Christ alone, and they rejoice at the right hand of the Father this moment. They did not run in vain or labor in vain. Their victory now is won. 

May we be glad and rejoice in the lives of these men and Christ's victory over death. May we be exhorted to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,  and to hold fast to the word of life, that we may be fully equipped to rejoice in the "pouring out" of every aspect of our lives for the sake of Christ. And finally, may we earnestly pray for the Lord's mercy, grace, and protection in the lives of these brothers' families.