Philippians 2:16
[16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (ESV)
The older we become the more we think about the life we have lived. What have we accomplished? Has it been worthwhile? What kind of legacy have we left that others would want to follow? The Apostle Paul is likely thinking about those kinds of things as he writes these words to the Philippian believers. He wants to be proud that he did not live this life in vain.
For Paul it is very clear what needs to happen for him to feel like he has left a proper legacy. For him to feel like his work was not in vain he needs for the believers to hold fast to the word of life. What is the word of life Paul is talking about? It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the message that alone is the power of God unto salvation.
It is interesting that in this day and age so many people talk about making sure that their children are happy as the most important thing to them. Or they will say that they want their children to have more material things than they had. For the believer in Jesus Christ the most important thing should be that our children hold fast to the word of life. For our children, and all those who follow our actions in life, the most important thing is for them to stay true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What kind of legacy are you in the process of leaving for those who you will leave behind? Are you concerned about leaving behind material possessions that will ultimately pass away? Or are you focused on leaving behind a legacy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I can assure you that only the Gospel is worth your effort. Let's close with these powerful words that Paul wrote in Romans 1:16:
Romans 1:16
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (ESV)
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