Holding Fast the Word of Life

'A distinctive generation modelling righteousness in the nations.' 

This was EYC's (European Youth Camp) guide line this year. As such a generation, we are reminded that 'God is for the righteous generation' (Ps 14:5b NASB). God needs a counterforce to the corruption and suffering in this world, and a key aspect of this is believers to be 'lights in the world' as God's blameless children living in righteousness, that is, His standard of living. A key passage in this regard is found in Philippians.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 

--Philippians 2:14-16 NASB

In this passage, the Apostle Paul reiterated what Jesus had already said: 'you are the salt of earth... you are the light of the world' (Mt 5:13-14). Jesus taught His followers that they are to let their light shine in such a way that people can see their good works and would then glorify God (v 16). Hence, good works is not just about anything we consider good, but rather that which is right in God's eyes and that which leads people to glorify God. Too often people today do good so that they may glorify themselves; yet Christ is looking for a people that will live in such a way that people will glorify God! Hence, 'modelling righteousness in the nation' is to show a lifestyle that reflects God's character of love, mercy, holiness, justice and truth. God must become visible among His people, and therefore we have to be a 'distinctive generation.' No longer can the church live in such a way that the world will despise God on account of its hypocrisy and feebleness. God's people are to reflect God's beauty, power and wisdom. The world simply needs role models to follow and heroes to look up to. How else can we explain the celebrity cult in the Western world? People need examples that show the way. We are called to show God's way.

In a fallen und hurting world, God wants a distinctive people to shine as lights of hope and truth. Darkness cannot overcome light; but rather light will penetrate darkness. Hate can be overcome by love, misery by comfort, lies by truth, despair by hope and sin by righteousness. While irresponsible atheists and ignorant liberals simply blame God for all the suffering and evil in this world, Christians understand that people have a will to choose right or wrong. We all have a conscience that convicts us of wrong and instruction in the Bible to choose what is right. The question is, What will people choose to do? Even a brief overview of world history exposes the biblical truism that sin, executed by humans, causes misery and death (see Rom 6:23). The worst dictators in history followed evil, anti-biblical ideologies that caused unbearable suffering and countless loss of life. 

Whatever the historical cases above, Jesus made clear that as He was the Light of the world (Jn 8:12), we are to be lights in this world (Mt 5:14; Phil 2:15). We are not to be overcome by evil, but must overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21). Two major figures in recent history showed the world that it can be done, at least to some degree: Martin Luther King Jr defied discrimination in the US and Gandhi took on the British Empire. Their non-violent struggles against oppressive forces had tremendous results and set a great example. And both men were inspired by Jesus Christ. 

As Jesus is the Word of Life, the Apostle Paul encourages us to hold on to the world of life (Phil 2:16). This is the way to be lights in a dark world, to be blameless and innocent children of God in a crooked and perverse generation. Sin is rampant and brings forth evil upon evil. As the Western world seeks to shake off its Judeo-Christian heritage that brought about the highest moral standards and peace and prosperity for all, we have entered a time where moral values are being relativised and even rejected. People in general don't care so much anymore about the one Holy Book that brought tremendous blessing to the world - the Bible. In it, we find the 'words of eternal life' (Jn 6:68). The psalmist asked, How can a young person keep his or her way pure? And answered, By keeping God's commandments. He then concluded to keep God's word in his heart that he might not sin against His Creator (Ps 119:9-11). He held fast to the word of life, the Word of God. Paul taught the same thing: we must hold on to the word of life if we truly want to live a life that is different from the crooked and perverse generation round about us with its abusive habits and self-destructive philosophies. We are not to be like the world, but are to be a renewed people dedicated to God and His will (Rom 12:1-2).

But there is another aspect that is crucial if we are to be 'a distinctive generation modelling righteousness in the nations.' The preceding verses in Philippians 2 speak of being like Christ in character. Jesus Christ, although being the eternal Son of God, humbled Himself by first becoming human and then by dying on the cross. He didn't hold on to the privileges of heaven, but sough to share in the life in earth. We are to have such an attitude and lifestyle. We are called to reflect the beauty of heaven on earth, so that God's kingdom can find demonstration on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus as the eternal word of God, the logos, became flesh, a human being, and dwelt among humanity to show the way. He took part in the lives of people. He didn't simply shout down a few commands from the comforts of heaven, but took upon Himself the attitude of a servant to redeem humanity from the pains and consequences of sin by dying on the cross of Calvary. This is the glorious Gospel and this is the glorious hope we have in Christ (Col 1:27). 

So, in order for us to be 'lights in this world,' as Paul said, we too must live like Christ, the Light of the world, lived. Indeed, John wrote that he who claims to abide in Christ, must also live as Christ lived and walk as Christ walked (1 Jn 2:6). It truly is the highest of standards, but also the highest of achievements. Today people measure others by wealth and status. God measures by purity and humility. For God it matters how we live and treat others, not how much wealth we acquire. For God it matters how we use our influence to serve and help others, not what status we reach in society. God is interested in our stewardship of what He entrusted to us. Jesus was entrusted with the most important mission in world history: to die on the cross to save humanity. He didn't fail, and neither can we! We are the ambassadors of Christ who were given the word of reconciliation based on the work of reconciliation accomplished by Christ (2 Cor 5:18-21). We are to proclaim what He has done, yet in order to have authority to do so, we first need to live a certain lifestyle that our message will be credible. People heard a lot from the 'church people,' yet they have not seen sufficient action. Once we practice what we preach, our message will have convincing power. Once people see us as examples in our lifestyle, they will be open to listen to the essence of our faith. Let us take this seriously and hold on to the word of life to reach the destiny God has prepared for us in eternity, the good works prepared for us so that we would walk in them (Eph 2:10). As we abide in Christ and His word, we shall be successful and bear much fruit (Jn 15; Ps 1).