…as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:16 NIV
Holding Firmly the Word
When I was learning to drive, we were taught to hold the steering wheel at the ten o’clock and two o’clock positions. Now, however, drivesmartbc.ca suggests “The best theory today is for the left hand to be between 7 and 9, and the right hand to be between 3 and 5. This keeps your hands and arms out of the way if the airbag deploys and you don’t end up having a fist fight with yourself in the event of a collision.”
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If you have ever poured your life into someone else’s, watching them mature and grow into a well-adjusted, well-rounded member of society, you know the sense of pride you have in them. This is particularly so in the Christian life, when you see someone you’ve led to the Lord and disciple, become a committed follower of Jesus, living consistently according to the principles of the Kingdom of God as outlined in the Word. Paul expressed this in Philippians 2:16: “…as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” Paul poured his life into these followers of Jesus in Philippi and many other places where he had planted churches and poured his energy. Paul wanted them to stand strong in Jesus, committed to holding firmly to the truth of God’s words. As they did so, Paul had the assurance that on the day when everything we have done for Jesus will be laid out, his work will prove to have eternal value. That ought to be the goal for every one of us who loves Jesus.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley