Holding Fast the Word of Life
2:15-16a so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life
The capstone of our ministry in the world, according to Paul, is that we hold fast the word of life. This phrase seems to suggest two things. First, it indicates that in the midst of a hostile world God’s people are to be holding firmly to God’s word, clinging to His word as the anchor of our souls. This is faith.
Secondly, it means followers of Christ are to be holding forth the gospel (which is God’s word of life), offering it to those who dwell in darkness. This is evangelism.
One of the greatest blessings that we possess is the word of God. Just as God created by His word at the beginning, so God is recreating men and women today by means of His word. It is the tool through which He imparts life.
“Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life! " (Deut.32:46-47a)
"Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord ." (Deut.8:3b)
The word of God must have a very central role in the life of a believer. It is the means by which the life of Christ is wrought in our souls, and it is the means by which God, through us, imparts His life to those who are dead in sin. His word is life to us and life to the world. Let us never ever neglect it.
Lord, what a great treasure You have given me in Your word. Help me to cherish it. Help me to marinate my soul in it. Help me to hold on to it for dear life. Help me to trust in it. Help me to live it. Help me to speak it. Help me to feed it to Your lambs. Help me to offer it to those who live in the absence of its light. Father, there is still much deadness in my soul. Bring me to life by Your word of life! Father, there is deadness all around me. Bring many to life through my holding forth Your word of life!