3 December 2023
STAND FIRM AND STEADFAST IN FAITH
(Growing in Faith, in Truth & in Spirit: GFTS 23)
The call to stand firm in our faith and steadfast in our commitment to God and Christ is mentioned many times in the Bible. This is especially in times of challenging situations like adversity, persecution, and spiritual warfare. We are warned not to waver in our faith at such times and give way to doubt and unbelief. The Writer to the Hebrews gives this warning: “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the Living God” (3:12). We are exhorted to “stand firm in the Lord” (Phil.4:1), which means we need to trust in the Lord and hold firmly to Him so that we may not lose faith and fall away. The word, “brethren” refers to believers in Christ.
When the Israelites were pursued by the Egyptian army in the wilderness, with the Red Sea in front of them, they felt threatened and fearful. Then Moses said to them, “Stand firm and you see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exod.14:13-14). This is a picture of the spiritual warfare we may face, when the enemy, like a roaring lion, seeks to devour us (1 Pet.5:8). In such times, we should not be shaken, but to be still and trust God for victory. The battle belongs to the LORD and He will fight for us. Just believe and hang on to faith, because we know He loves us.
The encouragement of God’s Word is this promise: “It is God Who makes us firm in Christ for He has anointed us” with His Holy Spirit (2 Cor.1:21). The Holy Spirit anoints us with His power and stirs up faith in our spirit man, so that we can withstand the onslaughts of the evil one. That is also why we are exhorted to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole Armour of God, so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph.6:10-11). We are weak but He is strong and His Spirit will strengthen our faith and resolve so that we will be overcomers. Praise the Lord!
However, we should never be complacent but be disciplined in our spiritual walk. That is because we are in a warfare. The devil will attack us time and again, so we need to be watchful. The Bible also gives us this command: “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong” (1 Cor.16:13). “The Faith” here means the faith as taught in Holy Scripture – the faith delivered to us by the Lord Jesus and through His apostles and prophets which is the foundation of our faith. In these last days the devil will deceive the Church by sending false prophets and teachers to influence people with the doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Let us beware and hold on faithfully to the Word of God.
Holding firm to our faith is imperative, especially when we are now living in the last days and that the appearing of the Lord Jesus may take place any time. The Apostles James exhorts us thus: “You too be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (5:8). May we heed this and resolve to stand firm in the Lord and walk faithfully with Him
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