Through the 16^th Century Reformation, God brought the true Gospel to the people. William Tyndale, John Wycliffe, etc translated the Bible into the common language so that everyone can read God’s Word. For about 1,000 years before the 16^th Century Reformation, people did not have the Word of God. After the Reformation, true believers had to run and hide because of their faith. Thousands perished because of their faith.

Now in the 21^st century, the Ecumenical movement is trying to undo the 16^th Century Reformation. The Bible consists of the “milk” and the “meat” doctrines. The “milk” doctrines are the doctrines of salvation, while the “meat” doctrines are those that help us to mature in our faith. So if you do not have the “milk,” you cannot eat the “meat.” And if you do not have the “meat,” you will not recognize the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, the Charismatics, the Jehovah Witnesses, etc. Only the Reformation Gospel is the true gospel that leads to true repentance and salvation.

To “hold fast” the Word of God is to keep all the doctrines of scripture, not letting it go. “Holding forth the word of life” (Phil 2:16) means sharing and declaring the Word of God to others. In order to do this, we must pay attention to the written Word. We must study it and do it, i.e. apply God’s Word in our life. To “do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil 2:14) is to obey God’s Word cheerfully, continuously, even in times of persecution, or when judgment is skewed against us. Many in history obeyed God’s Word and were willing to pay for it with their lives, eg: Martin Luther, John Huss, John Knox, etc.

God’s Word teaches us how to live for God. Joseph and Daniel are Old Testament examples of believers who did not complain but were holy witnesses for God. Philippians 2:15 teaches that we are to “shine as lights in the world.” We are to bear a holy witness to the world: at home, in school, at work, in church, etc. We must be blameless (like Joseph and Daniel).

Today, because of the false gospel, many think they are going to heaven, but in reality, they are heading for hell. Therefore, we have to shine even brighter. And we are to “hold forth” the truth. Let us not run or labour in vain (Phil 2:16). Jesus Christ did not run in vain. His death and resurrection brought salvation to us. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. To receive the true Gospel, we are to receive it by faith. May we believe in the true gospel. Remember the Reformation with a grateful heart, and “hold forth” the Word of truth.