1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, Be on guard. STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. Every time I read that verse I am reminded of the song “Standing on the Promises”. Paul’s advice to the Corinthians comes in the middle of All the Troubles that they’re having. While, Paul encourages them to get their act together he also reminds them to stand firm in the faith. He says “stand guard, Stand firm in the faith.
I am reminded oh my military service and especially when standing duty at my watch station. We were to stand guard and to stand firm never leaving our station until properly relieved. You probably ask, “What does this have to do with being a Christian”?
Christian Life Is A Journey Through Dangerous Places
Christian life is more like a journey than a destination. On that journey there are many things that can distract us and even some that will take us on a dangerous path farther and farther away from God. It would be great if we had guard posts along the way to direct us or prevent us from going further along. Unfortunately there are no military like guards to stand in our way. But God in his infinite wisdom has placed his words of guidance all throughout the word of God that act as guards. Guides that can help us stay away from dangerous pitfalls.
In addition to the word of God [knowledge] God has placed people in our life that serve to help point believers to the right path. Paul was such a man. And there are many all through history, maybe not as famous as Paul, but just as much concerned about the welfare of those whom they know. In our lives we all can think of some guards of the word who have been there when we have been confused or challenged by a new possible path in life.
Then when you add into the mix that God has given us all the Holy Spirit who will journey with us along the path we could not ask for more help. God has provided everything we need to get from our first moment of salvation to our final destination. It is up to us to pay attention on the journey.
Christian Life is Standing Firm In The Faith [Being Alert]
A military guard’s duty is to be alert (awake and watching) and our duty as Christians is to be alert along our path. As the Guard watches for unauthorized personal so the Christian stays alert to follow those guards that we find. I know, when Paul talks of standing firm in the faith he is talking about sticking with the truth of the Gospel as we know and understand it.
Faith is more than just knowing something to be true. Faith is believing that something is absolutely true and it calls us to act on that faith. The Apostle James coined the phrase “faith without works is dead” because he understood that too many just said they believed but did not act on that belief. Their faith was dead to start with, it was worthless. What good is faith without works? It is no good. So faith is more than just believing something to be (agreeing) with some idea or concept, true faith takes that idea or concept and walks with it like a guide for our decision-making throughout our life.
Faith causes us to be alert and watch. Watch the word, watch others along the path, and watch for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Standing firm in the faith means we are going to stand on God’s word above all thing, and our faith that stems from our understanding will help us make godly decisions on our journey.
Christian Life Calls Us to Be Courageous And Strong
Along with standing firm in our faith Paul said “Be courageous. Be strong.” When we have faith, when we believe something to be true and want to act on that faith often we have to be courageous, be strong in our faith. Some might say, “what you believe is not important” but what you believe is the most important thing in your Christian walk. And when you believe something to be true sometimes it takes a lot of strength just to step out in faith to do what you believe. We have to be courageous to walk in our faith.
When we think of courage we might think of the solder facing battle against an enemy who appears overwhelming. We think of courage as the ability to overcome fears or the internal strength that says “I am going to do it anyways in spite of my fear”. And we would be right in thinking that way. How do we get that kind of courage? Well you can try to be courageous on your own strength but for the Christian our courage sometimes needs to come from our faith in God who is with us. Jesus said, “I will never leave or forsake you”. Our faith is strong when we believe that promise to be true and in belief we act on that faith being courageous even against those who would tell us we are wrong.
Standing On The Promises Is Courage [It Proves Our Strength]
Like the old song “Standing on the promises” My faith causes me to stand “on the promises of Christ my king… Standing on the promises of God”. My Faith in God informs me of the truths of his word. My God will not let me fail. My faith say’s stand firm anyways. Like the guard on duty, I may not understand all that is going on around me but that is OK because i have only one function; to stand at my post until I am relieved.
I know, some are saying I am not strong. But to those I say I know one who is strong, who is able to stand alongside and guide and protect us along the way. No matter where your journey takes you, even when you feel you have taken the dangerous path, God goes with you so you can stand strong in your faith. When you feel you don’t have what it takes remember that the Holy spirit can be strong for you and if you lean on the Spirit for strength you will feel courageous no matter how fearful you feel.
Why Stand Firm In The Faith (Out of Love)
We stand firm in the faith because of love and out of love. Because Jesus died for our sins and made a way that we can be reconciled with God because of His Love. Love drove God’s decision to step into the world as Christ, the savior. And he did it out of a desire to reconcile the world to him. John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
It was because of God’s love that we are saved. And it is out of God’s love for others that we also love others. Out of our love for others, that love that motivates us to live godly lives so that we can be a witness to God’s great love. It is out of love that we choose to stand firm in our faith. It is out of God’s love that we can be courageous even through dangerous times.
How About You? Are You Willing to Stand Firm
The word of God calls us to stand firm in our faith. I know it is not easy but are you willing? That is the question we all must answer for ourselves. It take courage to stand firm. We do it because of God’s love for all people.
This may be a lot to take in. But it is possible. Remember God will never ask us to do anything that is impossible.
I hope this post has helped you and hope that you to will learn to stand firm in your faith on your journey with Christ.
Please leave a comment if you would like or share this on social media. It is written out of a desire to help other walk in faith and to have hope in their walk with God.
Blessings
Raymond, Author – Walkinghope.com
