Philippians 2:16
“holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain”.
One’s view of the bible is quite important. Psalm 138:2 says, “I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” That’s quite a statement. He see His Word as so important, it’s greater than His name. Proverbs 4:22 says, “For they are life to those who find them, And healing to all their body.”
In the parable of the sower Jesus speaks of how the Word grows in one’s heart. As we listen to His Word and heed it, the life of God grows in us. Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” This means a couple of things. A person can’t believe a message they haven’t heard. That’s obvious. What it also means is the hearing God’s Word can generate faith. This is acknowledging that the Word is alive and grows faith. That’s what the parable of the sower illustrates.
Proverbs 9:10 speaks an important truth, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” We don’t listen to those we don’t fear or respect. Respecting Him is the beginning. That leads to listening and heeding His Word. Doing that plants it in our hearts. It in itself being powerful and alive grows in us. That is an amazing fact.
The more we read and hear His Word, the more God is active in us. He is more than a magic potion. He’s alive, powerful and most important good and loving. It’s a blessing and a privilege to know Him and having Him work in us and in our lives.
All of us have our issues and hang ups. God is the answer to them. He wants to be in us, love, heal and lead us. He has a great life for us. It is so good we could never comprehend it.
This is why Paul says today’s verse, “hold firmly to the word of life”. That’s not widely shared. Some churches value the message of culture above the bible. They value their views as primary. This is quite unfortunate. They can go so far that God isn’t in their churches. Even worse, their message can be damaging. Jesus gives a warning in Luke 17:1,2 ‘Now He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to one through whom they come! It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to sin.”‘ God places much responsibility and accountability on those who lead His flocks. Some of these leaders are so off that they aren’t christians. They aren’t valuing His Word.
Lord, help us to value Your Word. Thank You for all You’ve for us through it.