Chapter 2, Verse 16 “…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.”
How was the Philippian church to hold fast the word of life. Certainly not by hiding in a space or ‘church building.’ Paul is all about spreading the gospel and he sees the church’s responsibility to do that. Paul might be saying, ‘You’re not in prison so don’t imprison yourself by hiding. Shine in the world. Take the word of life, the good news of Jesus and His resurrection out into the streets and byways. Share the light of life with all those in darkness.
The church cannot afford to develop a defensive attitude or position. Go and preach is an offensive game plan. The church was to go and spread. No difference today. Churches make a great mistake fortifying home and neglecting the harvest field. “Don’t Fence Me In” is a good song for churches to sing. Today the church must leave the cathedrals.
Paul is putting his personal honor on the line. Don’t let me down seems to be the message here. Paul wanted to be able to rejoice on the last day at the work he had done with the Philippian brethren.
Task for Today: You are a part of the church. Encourage your congregation to leave the building and take their lamps to the streets. If they don’t go, don’t let that stop you. You have your own personal lamp. If it’s under a bushel, take it out and hold it high. Wherever you go today, shine the light of the gospel. Repeat (Romans 10:14) over and over, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Are you a ‘someone?
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