Tag: stand firm
We have the Victory!
Scripture reading for July 26th: 1st Corinthians 15
Key scriptures for over-comers: 1st Corinthians 15:55-58 “”Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
The “sting of death” is sin in a person’s life that has not been repented of and confessed to Christ Jesus, our Lord. This “sting” is eternal death and separation from our Lord forever in the Lake of Fire made for the Devil and his angels but not intended for man! The “Law” of God, the Ten Commandments, powerfully reveals sin in each human heart, but it cannot save or deliver from sin’s sting. But thanks to God sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to fully obey the law and offer Himself as payment for man’s sins, we have the victory! Not only that, but we can fearlessly do God’s work and know we will receive a reward of eternal life that is “out of this world!”
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers stand firm in the truth of the Gospel and nothing moves them away from faith in Jesus Christ. They stand firm in the victory of Christ’s cross and resurrection! “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed.” (Psalm 18:34-37)
Christ our supreme example!
Scripture reading for September 30th: Philippians 1:27-2:18
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the Gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved–and that by God.” (Philippians 1:27-28) Paul wanted these saints to stand firm and live for Christ no matter what happened to him. There was no need for fear because God had promised to take care of His own. As they stood in unity without fear, this would be a sign to those who opposed them that God was with them and that they would be destroyed! God used some interesting signs!
The ultimate example of faith and trust in the face of suffering was Jesus Christ. Paul reminded the Philippians to imitate Christ’s attitude. “Who being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-7) We are placed here by God to serve and obey Him. This was Christ’ attitude and it should be ours!
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out you salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13) Our obedience is not dependent on pleasing men, but God. Choices are required each day to cooperate with God in accomplishing His purposes.
Paul was concerned with this church’s witness after he was gone. He did not want them to back off from their commitment to Christ if he was martyred or if they might also be martyred. He was very aware of the temptations of the culture of that time. He wanted them to let their lives shine for Christ and continue to reach the lost. How much like Christ was Paul! May we imitate our Lord as well!
Standing firm!
Scripture reading for April 22nd: Luke 21:1-28
“Then He said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. . . .You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of Me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.”(Luke 21:10-11, 16-19)
As Jesus approached the time of His crucifixion and departure, He spoke plainly to His disciples of events surrounding His second coming. He knew how these followers would be shaken and tested by the turmoil and trouble coming upon the earth in the last days and sought to give them (and us) fair warning. God does nothing by judgment unless he warns His people through the prophets. (Amos 3:7)
Today, we are experiencing many of these signs that Jesus said would happen. He promised that the end would not come right away. (Luke 21:9) He emphasized that His followers had nothing to fear, even if they were killed for their testimony of faith in Christ. Standing firm requires faith. We must decide to trust Jesus and believe His promises. In a time where many are mocking those who believe, we must not give in to fear or be swayed by the philosophy of the current culture. There are not many ways to God, there is only one way: Jesus Christ! We must stay firm in that belief! Seeking the approval of men by refusing to publically take a stand is not standing firm either. Standing firm means we will proclaim our faith and Jesus Christ as Lord. We will live for Him alone and die if necessary for that stand.
Jesus ended this discourse with a warning to His followers: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36) Please stand firm, watch, and pray! The time is short!
Loving the Truth!
Scripture reading for October 14th: 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-17
One of the false teachings of Paul’s day in the Thessalonian church was that Jesus Christ had already come back. False teachers had evidently even gone so far as to attribute this to Paul himself. Paul wanted to be sure that they got the truth and gave them further teaching about the coming of the Lord and the events surrounding that day.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4) Paul told these believers that there would be a time of rebellion that would precede the coming day of the Lord. A man would be revealed that would be known as the ‘man of lawlessness’. This man would set himself up as God and even use God’s temple to do that.
This lawless man would do the works of Satan but would use deception. He would produce counterfeit signs and wonders and do miracles that would deceive people into thinking that he was God. Those who followed him would be destroyed by Jesus Christ, along with this lawless one. Paul gave the reason that they would be deceived: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:10b-12)
A love of truth will keep us from deception! In the world of the twenty-first century, people in our culture question if truth can even be known. “Truth is relative,” they say. But God tells us that His word is truth. (John 17:17) Heaven and earth will pass away, but not His word! (Matthew 24:35) Jesus told His disciples that He was the Truth! (John 14:6) The Holy Spirit is the ‘Spirit of Truth.’ (John 16:13) Paul told the Thessalonians that they were saved by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief of the truth. (2nd Thessalonians 2:13) May the Lord give us a love of the truth which frees us from deception!
Standing firm!
Scripture reading for April 22nd: Luke 21:1-28
“Then He said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. . . .You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of Me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.” (Luke 21:10-11, 16-19)
As Jesus approached the time of His crucifixion and departure, He spoke plainly to His disciples of events surrounding His second coming. He knew how these followers would be shaken and tested by the turmoil and trouble coming upon the earth in the last days and sought to give them (and us) fair warning. God does nothing by judgment unless he warns His people through the prophets. (Amos 3:7)
Today, we are experiencing many of these signs that Jesus said would happen. He promised that the end would not come right away. (Luke 21:9) He emphasized that His followers had nothing to fear, even if they were killed for their testimony of faith in Christ. Standing firm requires faith. We must decide to trust Jesus and believe His promises. In a time where many are mocking those who believe, we must not give in to fear or be swayed by the philosophy of the current culture. There are not many ways to God, there is only one way: Jesus Christ! We must stay firm in that belief! Seeking the approval of men by refusing to publically take a stand is not standing firm either. Standing firm means we will proclaim our faith and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We will live for Him alone and die if necessary for that stand.
Jesus ended this discourse with a warning to His followers: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36) Please stand firm, watch, and pray! The time is short!