It is interesting to note that some of the characteristics of being blameless, innocent children before God, are that of not being a grumbler (a tendency to complain, protest, discontent) and disputing (to question or doubt the truth or validity of something to disagree, argue, fight for or strive against or resist; a serious argument or disagreement). In Verses 16 + 18 + 21: Paul says, “Holding fast to the Word of life, so that in the day of Christ (Jesus) I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. And you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.” One’s holding on to the Word of God, the only Word of Life, while pouring oneself for the sake of others’ faith, truly demonstrates having the Lord’s interest at heart, and foremost in their life. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3: 1 – 5: “But realize this (understand, take it to heart), that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self (self-centered), lovers of money (greedy desire for wealth), boastful, arrogant, revilers (assail with abusive language; blasphemous, contemptuous), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving (callous and inhumane), irreconcilable, malicious gossips (spiteful: vicious, slanderers, or mischievous in motivation or purpose; showing a desire to cause harm to someone), without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous (characterized by faithlessness or readiness to…
