Subtitles for a Silent Picture

Devotional: Subtitles for a Silent Picture Text: “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 2:16 Intro: Have you ever watched a silent movie? The subtitles keep you working to make sure that you keep up with the story. I sometimes get lax and don’t read the subtitles and that means that I have to keep watching so that I will understand what was said in the last scene. The actors’ actions help me to know what they were talking about or what plot the villain was planning in the scene where I missed the words. Holding forth the word of life is like us acting in the silent movie, so we must not miss the opportunity to speak so that those actions do not go misinterpreted by the world. Discussion: This past Resurrection weekend, Shibana and I looked at the ‘Passion of Christ’. It is always tough for me to watch this rendition of what happen to our Lord, yet it is always a blessing to engage in reflecting on what Jesus did for me so that my salvation would be secure and final. We also looked at the Ten Commandments with Charleton Heston. It is a great story. Just to let you know I have the 1923 silent version of the Ten Commandments. As I said before, it is sometimes tough for me being a listener to keep up with the subtitles. Looking back at the scene and actors to help fill in what I missed. In many ways we are the actors on that stage of the world helping to see the witness of God in the world but we must prepare words to go with those actions just in case we are asked “why”. God has sent us into the world of many troubles in order that we may “hold fast” and “hold forth the Word of Life”. In his letter to the Philippians, the great Apostle Paul encourages the church to act: “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.” Paul challenges us to have actions that are acceptable to those who see them, but also challenges us to “hold fast/ forth the word of life”. These good actions in the world must be accompanied by words. So that the world will not be left behind like me watching the silent movie. In his devotional ‘Sanctuary’ Dr. David Jeremiah says, “I never have believed too much in the power of the “silent” witness. But when a godly life is accompanied by the presentation of the Word of Life, the effect can be dramatic.” Without words to accompany the good actions that we do, we are kind of like the silent film that I don’t work to keep up with. People will see the good work but do they understand the ‘why’ that goes with our ‘what’? As you follow the Lord in the mission that you believe that he has called you to, remember to have words prepared that will testify to God’s glory through Jesus. People of the world think that we are doing these good deeds to earn our salvation but we must inform them that these actions come because of the salvation that Jesus has secured for us on the cross and verified for us in the resurrection. Challenge: How would you describe to someone why you follow the Lord in obedience? Make sure that you add the subtitles to the silent movie of your life so that people can consider the reason for real actions brought about by Our Lord Jesus Christ in your own life. Prayer: My dearest Lord, Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path beneath me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, Tonight, and Forever. Amen