WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 50
BIBLE STUDY NOTES HOLDING OUT THE WORD OF
LIFE
by Francis W. Dixon
Study 1 SHINING AS LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD
(Scripture Portion: Philippians 2:1-16)
The theme of these studies is based upon a striking phrase in Philippians 2:16
which speaks about holding out the word of life, and in this first study we shall
consider the surrounding verses (14-18). First, it is important to notice that
Christians are spoken of as “children of God” (verse 15); we must emphasise
the fact that while all people everywhere are the children of God in a creative
sense, only real Christians are His children in a redemptive sense – look up and
compare Malachi 2:10 and Acts 17:28-29 with John 1:12-14 and Galatians 3:26.
The Apostle Paul tells us that as “sons of God” we are to “shine like stars” in a
dark world. Just as the stars shine in the heavens so we, a heavenly people,
are to shine for the Lord – compare Numbers 6:24-26 with Proverbs 4:18. We
are to shine as Moses did (Exodus 34:29); as the Lord Jesus did (Matthew
17:2); as John the Baptist did (John 5:35); as Stephen did (Acts 6:15) – now
please look up Matthew 5:16. To shine for the Lord is the very essence of
Christian service, and all can do it! – and a comparison of John 8:12 and
Matthew 5:14 makes it clear just how we may shine.
1. WHERE ARE WE TO SHINE?
1. “In the universe” (verse 15). This refers to the inhabited world in which
we live, but also to the world system – all that is opposed to Christ and
that excludes Him and which we are forbidden to love (1 John 2:15-17).
As Christians we are in the world, but we are not to be of it, as John
17:11 and 15 make clear.
2. “In a crooked and depraved generation” – compare Proverbs 2:13-15
and Isaiah 53:6.
What a dreadful spiritual and moral darkness engulfs this generation! On every
hand there is an appalling ignorance of God and of spiritual things, and God’s
indictment against the human race, as recorded in Romans 1:21-32, is still up-
to-date. Gross moral darkness covers the earth and sin abounds everywhere,
as is indicated by the increase in divorce, drink and drug addiction, gambling,
crime, sexual offences and corruption generally. Genesis 6:5 is true of this
generation and should be read in conjunction with Matthew 24:37. It is in this
crooked and depraved generation that we are to shine for the Lord – in public
(Matthew 5:14) and in private (Matthew 5:15) – socially and domestically.
2. HOW ARE WE TO SHINE?
There’s the illustration of the light in a lamp which is ineffective because the
wick needs attention, or it is obscured because the glass is smoky. In verse 14
we read of two things that smoke up the glass, and in verses 15 and 16 of five
characteristics of the life that is shining for the Lord. How should we shine?
1. By not complaining, or muttering (verse 14). See Numbers 20:2 and 21:5,
and compare Acts 6:1 and 1 Corinthians 10:10. How easy it is to murmur!
2. By not arguing (verse 14). The thought here is of creating disaffection by
unwise gossip.
3. By being “blameless” (verse 15) – completely trustworthy (Daniel 6:4).
4. By being pure (verse 15) – completely wholesome and sincere (John 1:47;
1 Peter 2:1). The special reference is to our motives.
5. By being “without fault” (verse 15) – living in such a way that we do not
have to be corrected or chastened by the Lord because of carelessness
and because of failure to judge ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:30-32).
6. By “holding out the word of life” (verse 16). This refers to our active witness
in preaching the gospel and making known God’s salvation through faith in
Christ. We do this by preaching, personal witness, informal meetings,
letter-writing, and by many other ways. Above all, such “holding forth” must
be accompanied by a consistent life as indicated in points 1 to 5 above.
7. By living in the light of “the day of Christ” (verse 16). The apostle refers to
the Judgment Seat of Christ and reminds us that we are to live and labour
day by day in the light of this solemn time of reward or loss – look up
Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:9-10.
3. WHY ARE WE TO SHINE?
1. That God the Father may be glorified. Notice the last six words in
Matthew 5:16. There is only one life that will glorify Him, and that is the
Christ-filled, Spirit-controlled life that shines before men and commends
Him to them.
2. That the Lord Jesus may be magnified. To magnify a thing is to make it
appear bigger, and Christians by their shining witness are to make the
Lord Jesus appear “big” before the world. Just as lamps magnify the
light, so we are to magnify Him (Philippians 1:20).
3. That we may be lost sight of. A lamp does not attract to itself; it is the
light that attracts – look up John 3:30 and see how John the Baptist is
described in John 5:35. There can be no shining without burning, and
burning means sacrifice. It is when we are willing to let self go that
Christ becomes all and in all – look up Matthew 16:24-25.
4. That sinners may be saved. We are to shine before men with the red
light of warning (Ezekiel 33:8-9); and we are constantly to show the
green light, or the “all clear”, of a consistent and brightly burning life. By
doing this we shall point sinners to the Saviour and will hear His “Well
done!”, and we shall be rewarded “on the day of Christ” – see verse 16,
and compare Matthew 25:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:10.
WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
PO Box 334, EASTLEIGH, SO53 2UB, UK
www.wordsoflife.co.uk