Holding Forth the Word of Life
Holding forth the word of life. — Phil. ii. 16.
The disciples of Christ are not called to a life of indolence, but to action. As Christ himself came as a light into the world, he would have those whc follow him to be lights in their proper sphere. His exhortation to them was, “Let your light so shine that others seeing your good works may glorify your Father in heaven.”
In our text there seems to be an allusion to torchbearers, who in the night went before others to show them the way. The Christians at Philippi, who as yet formed a small proportion of the inhabitants, are reminded of the importance of exhibiting a good example before the heathen multitude by whom they were surrounded; of being blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke; that is, furnishing no occasion for censure or rebuke, by the holiness of their lives. “Among whom,” says he, uye shine as lights in the world.”
But as the verb in the original may with equal propriety be read in the imperative or the indicative mood, it would suit better with what follows, to render it thus, “Shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.” Our text will, then, be an exposition of the manner in which they should shine; namely, by “holding forth the word of life.” As if he had said, You are bound to shine upon the darkness around you, and this you can readily do, for you are furnished with a lamp or torch, even the word of life, which you ought to hold up to view, that those who are in darkness might be attracted by its light, and might be induced to walk in the light which is shed forth from this radiant point. Let us then,
I. Inquire why the word is here called the word of life.
II. And, in the second place, consider some of the ways by which this light may be held forth.
And may the Lord afford spiritual illumination to both preacher and hearers this day!
I. No doubt, by the word of life, we are to understand the Holy Scriptures, and they are called the word of life,
1. Because they clearly reveal to us a future life, and teach us the way by which we may obtain it. Nothing certain can be known of a future state of existence without the Scriptures; for even if reason could assure us that we shall exist hereafter, it cannot satisfy us, that we shall enjoy happiness in the world to come. But as we all have a consciousness of sin, the dictate of sober reason is, that we must expect to be punished for our sins hereafter, since punishment does not always overtake the wicked here. Reason would dictate that the innocent and obedient would of course be happy under the government of a righteous, moral governor; but in regard to pardon and reconciliation for sinners, reason utters not a word; she is dumb; or rather, she speaks a language of terror, saying that every one must be rewarded according to his works. And as we know that we are sinners, what can we expect but to suffer for our sins? To man, thus walking in darkness and terror, the gospel brings a glorious and cheering light. “Life and immortality are brought to light by the gospel.” The divine Author of our religion has given us the clearest information which could be desired; not only of the reality of a world of blessedness, but also of the means by which we may reach this happy state. And this revelation being recorded in the word, this is properly called “the word of life.”
2. But the word of God contained in the Holy Scriptures, is not only a revelation of a way of life, but it is an authoritative grant of life to condemned sinners, on the condition of faith and repentance. It is one thing to know that there is life, and to be informed of the way in which it may be attained, and another and very different thing, to have an offer by authority of this life to ourselves; yea, a free grant of it, if we will accept the boon. To a prisoner condemned to death it is pleasing to know that the supreme authority is reconcilable; but O how transporting to hear from those appointed to deliver the message, that he has sent me a sealed pardon! Or to read the document itself, in which he declares in the most solemn manner, that all the sins of every penitent believer are forgiven! The word contains the assurance of eternal life to every true believer; it is, therefore, emphatically “the word of life.”
3. But the word is not only an authoritative message from the King of kings, granting life to all who are willing to receive it, but also the appointed instrument of communicating spiritual life to the soul. Though the work of regeneration requires the exertion of the same power which at first caused light to shine out of darkness, yet it has pleased God to ordain that his own truth should be the ordinary means of accomplishing this great work. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Christians are said to be begotten by the word of truth, and to be born again by the word. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” This metaphor by which the word is compared to a seed, is very appropriate; for though a seed possesses vitality in itself, it will never vegetate unless it is brought under the influence of air, sun, and rain; so, the word of God remains inefficacious until accompanied by the Holy Spirit. And, again, as the wTord is the instrument by which the Spirit operates, it is called, “the sword of the Spirit.” The word is the means by which the sinner is convinced of his sin and danger. While ignorant of the law he remains careless and unconcerned; but when the commandment comes, sin revives, and he dies. Paul says of himself, “I was alive once, without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.” “I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” By this precept he learned that the law reached the thoughts of the heart. And conversion is produced by the energy of the Holy Spirit under the preaching of the word, as is evident from the texts already cited. The word contains in itself all those objects and qualities which are adapted to excite holy affections in the human soul; and the reason why it does not produce its appropriate effects on the hearts of all who hear or read it is, that there is no capacity in a soul dead in sin to perceive spiritual beauty, and no susceptibility of holy emotions and affections; but wThen spiritual life is communicated, in proportion to the degree of illumination granted, the truth will appear in its genuine and attractive colours. Its reality, importance, beauty, and glory begin now to be perceived; and the soul, under the influence of the Spirit, is rendered impressible by the truth. Thus every good desire, every holy emotion, every exercise of faith, love, repentance, hope, and joy, are produced by the views of truth which the soul now enjoys. The gospel is, indeed, “the word of life,” and the means of spiritual life to every one that is born of God.
4. Again, the word is not only the means of generating spiritual life, but is the nutriment by which this life is sustained, and by which it increases and grows. This progress of the soul in spiritual strength is what, in Scripture, is called sanctification. The new man, formed in regeneration, though possessing all the members and lineaments of the child of God, is not made perfect in knowledge and strength at once, but, analogous to what takes place in the human body, is first a babe, then a young man, and finally, an old man. Or, like the seed sown in the ground, there is “first the blade, then the ear, and finally, the full corn in the ear.” Every kind of life in this world needs nourishment. Man’s natural body is in infancy supported by milk, and when grown, by bread and strong meat. So also the spiritual life must have nourishment in order to its continuance and growth. And this nourishment is found only in the word. “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
5. By the word of the Lord the bodies of the saints, at the last day, shall be resuscitated, and inspired with new life. For all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and come forth, some to everlasting life. Therefore, Christ, whose resurrection is an earnest of that of his people, says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and by his authority and power, all the pious dead shall rise from their graves, and even the sea will give up her dead, in the resurrection day. It is, therefore, said by the apostle Paul, when speaking of the resurrection of the company of true believers, “As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.” This doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is peculiar to the gospel, and is an animating and glorious doctrine. Then, indeed, may it be said that man lives, when “this mortal shall put on immortality.” Then, indeed, “Death shall be swallowed up of life.”
II. We come, in the second place, as was proposed, to consider the duty of holding forth the word of life.
The allusion is to holding up a light to others who are in darkness. The Philippians, in the preceding verse, are represented as in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. They were surrounded by heathen idolaters, who were not only shrouded in ignorance, but degraded in their moral conduct. They had no correct knowledge of the true God, and were total strangers to the character and mediatorial work of Jesus Christ. They were at enmity with God, and aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Now Christians, whose eyes had been opened, and who had been turned from the darkness of idolatry to the marvellous light of the gospel, had a duty to perform to their benighted fellow-citizens. It was incumbent on them to hold forth the lamp of divine truth, to scatter the darkness which surrounded the people; that is, it was their duty to make known to others that word by which their own souls had been quickened and enlightened. Nothing in the material world is more necessary than light. Without it all the beauty of the universe would be obscured. Without it all life, of every kind, would cease. Light is to the bodily eye, what truth is to the mind. Without the knowledge of the truth, the soul of man remains in a state of darkness and disorder. Nothing can supply the place of light in the natural world, and there is no substitute for truth in the spiritual world. But we need not now descant on the preciousness of divine truth, as we have already had the subject fully before us. Our inquiry now is, what can be done to hold it forth, so that others also may be illumined and guided by it, for as to the obligation to communicate the truth to others, there can be no doubt. Our Lord has given us express commands on this subject: “Let your light so shine that others seeing your good works may glorify your Father who is in heaven.” And again, “Ye are the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” And he forbade his disciples to put their light under a bed or a bushel.
Though it is incumbent on all Christians, according to their ability and opportunity, to communicate the truth to their fellow-creatures, there are some on whom this duty rests especially, as occupying stations and filling offices to which instruction appropriately belongs. The preacher of the gospel is by a solemn vow devoted to this very work. His commission extends to every individual of the race to whom he can gain access. “Preach the gospel to every creature.” The command of God is, “Be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine.” By means of the faithful preaching of the gospel, the word of life is held forth to many at once.
But though it is not incumbent on all Christians to preach, it is the duty of all to do what in them lies, to have the gospel preached to all, by lending their aid to prepare young men for the ministry, by obtaining for them such an education as is requisite to qualify them for the ministry. It is undoubtedly the duty of all Christians to give their aid in supporting a faithful ministry in the Church, that all may have the opportunity of hearing the word of life. They may hold forth the word of life by supporting him who is authorized to dispense it; and by freeing him from the necessity of occupying his time in secular business for the support of himself and family. But Christians should hold forth the lamp of life to the heathen world. A large proportion of our race have never heard the gospel, and we know of no way by which they can be saved without it. There is no other word of life. There is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved — other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Christians are not sufficiently awake to this most important duty. The call is from hundreds of millions for their help. Not that the heathen desire the light of the gospel; but their urgent necessities should sound as a solemn call in our ears continually. And not only the heathen, but the Jews and Mohammedans, a numerous multitude, are also in darkness, to whom the word of life should be held forth, whether they will hear or forbear. Let Christians do what they can to enlighten these millions of men, inhabiting the earth contemporaneously with themselves, ana whom they will soon meet at the judgment-seat of Christ.
But “the word of life” may be held forth also by the press, even to a greater extent than by the living preacher. Books and tracts circulate where the sound of the preacher’s voice is never heard. The word of God should be translated into all languages, and circulated through the whole world. Within the last half century much has been done in translating and circulating the Bible over the face of the earth. But the work is not yet accomplished; it is just begun. The Chinese and Hindoos will need millions of copies; as also many other heathen nations.
Much may also be done by writing and circulating evangelical tracts and books among the people. This good work has also been commenced and is in progress; but when we contemplate the wide harvest field, we have great reason to pray the Lord of the harvest for more help; for the harvest is great and the labourers few. It is written, that the time will come when many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Does not the enterprise of col portage seem to be an accomplishment of this prediction?
But Christians must let their light shine by example, as well as teaching. The apostle seems to have had this especially in his eye, when he penned these words of the text, for he says, “Be harmless and blameless, the sons of God, without rebuke.” Nothing in the power of man is more influential than example. A holy example strikes with force on every mind in which conscience is not seared as with a hot iron. There is something in a holy example which stops the mouths of gainsayers sooner than all arguments.
Let Christians live up to their duty and privileges; let them manifest the true spirit of their holy religion, and exhibit beauty and purity in a consistent Christian example, and even infidelity itself will be abashed, when it has no evil thing to say of them. Even the sneering Gibbon, in attempting to account for the spread of Christianity, was obliged to give the unblamable lives of its professors as one of the causes.