Holding forth the Word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16
Modern navigational technology has revolutionized the way that ships chart their movements through the oceans, including their approaches to harbours and their passage through dangerous waters. This technology has all but eliminated the lighthouses that have been used for many centuries to guide ships. Those lighthouses were critical to mariners, especially as they approached the harbours. Without those lights, the ships would have been unable to approach the harbours, or would be in danger of shipwreck if they made the attempt. Those lighthouses were often placed high on a rock to they could be seen from greater distances, and they were manned round the clock so their beams could safely guide ships to harbour. In earlier days, beacon fires were often lit at the entrances to harbours to serve the same purpose. The idea of a beacon fire or a lighthouse is the thought behind the expression in today’s test: holding forth the Word of life.
Paul speaks of the Assembly in Philippi as holding forth the Word of life. This is a very valuable role for an Assembly. The daily testimony of each member of the Assembly, the weekly Gospel meetings, and the occasional Gospel series – these all serve as a lighthouse to the community in which the Assembly is located. These serve as a beacon, to warn sinners of the great peril of perishing without Christ, and to point those sinners to the Harbour of Refuge, the Saviour of sinners. The Word of life is held forth for those of our loved ones who see us and who attend Gospel meetings. The Word of life is also held forth for those who watch us, those who receive Gospel tracts from us, those who are invited to attend meetings. The Word of life is held for for all those who so much as see the signs announcing Gospel meetings, and for those who see the Gospel texts on the walls, or on billboards. As an Assembly, and as individuals within the Assembly, we have the responsibility and the privilege of being a lighthouse to warn sinners of their peril and to guide them to Christ.
The preachers and the missionaries know what it is like to hold forth the Word of life. They are on the front line of getting the message to the people, of taking the brunt of the opposition, of feeling the tremendous weight of lost souls around them. But they cannot stand alone. They need our support – our prayer support, our financial support, our encouragement and acknowledgment. We must stand with them in holding forth the Word of Life.
We live in a dark and hopeless world. Within it are poor souls desperate for a light to guide them to safety and peace. As we hold forth the Word of life, we are that beacon fire they need. -Jim MacIntosh