February 1, 2023: Philippians 2:16 - Hold Fast the Word of Life

“…holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” - Philippians 2:16

Here we have the apostle Paul speaking to the believers at Philippi, a church in Greece that he had planted, encouraging them to hold fast to the word of life. Remember, these people previously were not believers in Jesus Christ. Paul had brought the good news of Jesus Christ to them. How many of us as believers in Christ have told someone about Him, how He saved us, how He changed us? If there was ever anyone who had a story to tell about the saving, changing power of Jesus Christ, it would be the apostle Paul.

Before Paul had a great conversion to Christianity by Christ Himself, his name was “Saul.” Saul, who was born in the Roman city of Tarsus, was a Jewish religious leader, a Pharisee, who hated the Christians, who at that time were called followers of the “Way,” and Saul even consented to the stoning of Stephen, a devoted and faithful follower of Jesus Christ who had been accused of blasphemy by some in the Jewish synagogue. The Bible tells us of Saul:

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” (Acts 8:3)

“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2)

One day while on his way with others who were going with Saul to Damascus, “suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 9:3-5) Jesus then instructed Saul, whom Jesus blinded for three days, on very specific things that he should do, and Saul obeyed. Jesus then told His disciple named Ananias to go a street called Straight and to the house of Judas and inquire about Saul of Tarsus and that Saul was praying. Jesus also said that Saul had had a vision of Ananias coming to him and restoring his sight. However, Ananias knew about Saul and how he had severely persecuted Christians, and worriedly asked the Lord about him. Jesus answered Ananias, saying, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to hear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Ananias did as Jesus said, and laid hands on Saul, saying to him, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” The Bible tells us, “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:10-18) Acts 9:20-22 tells us, “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, ‘Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?’ But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.” Some time after his conversion to Christianity and preaching Christ, Saul, whose name was also Paul, started calling himself by his roman name of “Paul” instead of his Hebrew name of “Saul.” (See: https://www.gotquestions.org/Saul-Paul.html).

Paul’s conversion to Christianity was a dramatic one. How in the world could he not tell others of the saving power of Jesus Christ, the One who had removed the scales from his eyes, allowing them to be opened so that he could see and know the truth, the word of life? Paul’s life was spent telling the Gentiles (non-Jews) about Jesus, and Paul suffered heavy persecution for his faith. However, his greatest joy was to see people come to Christ, and to those who did, Paul called “his beloved.” How many of us have unbelievers we are praying for, each and every day, that they too would have their eyes opened to the word of life? How many of us have suffered persecution and have been mocked and scoffed at because of what we have told them? How many of us have lost friends or even had family members who have ended relationships with us because of it? May we remember that even those who persecute us the most may one day have their own conversion to Christ, as Paul did. Let us not stop praying for them, and let us hold fast the word of life. Let us remember the words of John the apostle, who was with Jesus when He gave up His life on the cross, and John was the one to whom Jesus gave the Revelation of Himself, which we now know as the book of Revelation.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:1-3)

Let us hold fast to this truth, telling others about Jesus, so that one day, when we have finished our race of faith, strong in Him, we will rejoice in the day of Christ, when we are gathered together with Him and with all who decided to follow Him, and oh, what a glorious day that will be! ✝️