Philippians 2:14-16 - Homilies By V. Hutton

The Christian life: its effect upon the world.

I. How THIS EFFECT MAY BE OBSCURED . By murmurings ( i.e. active rebellions against the will of God) and disputings ( i.e. efforts of the intellect to persuade ourselves that God's voice is not speaking to us).

II. HOW IT IS MANIFESTED . Where God's will is accepted, it will render our lives blameless towards him and harmless towards our fellow-men. Thus are we manifested as the sons of God, being partakers of his life.

III. WHAT IT CONSISTS IN .

1 . Shining as lights. The faithful are the illuminated, shining, not in their own light, but in the presence of the Light of the world within them. He so fills them with himself that their whole body becomes full of light.

2 . Holding forth the Word of life. The light is the life of men. They who are possessors of the light must impart it. One light may be kindled from another without diminution of its illuminating power. It is the Word of God, i.e. the revelation of God, the Word of life (cf. 1 John 1:1 ), which is "a lantern unto our feet, and a light unto our path."—V.W.H.