STAND FAST IN THE LORD
"Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and my crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved." Philippians 4:1.
I. THE COMMAND IS TO "STAND FAST"
Several options are available to the Christian in our spiritual life.
We may lie down:
"Therefore He says: ’Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." Ephesians 5:14
We may sit down:
"Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, ’Why are we sitting here until we die?" II Kings 7:3
We may flee:
"…Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled." Matthew 26:56.
...But we are told to stand…and stand fast (firmly fixed) in the Lord!
II. STAND FAST IN THE FAITH.
"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." I Corinthians 16:13-14
"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Jude, verse 3.
III. STAND FAST IN THE LIBERTY OF CHRIST
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14.
IV. STAND FAST IN ONE SPIRIT
"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27.
V. STAND FAST IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SATAN AND EVIL
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:10-12.
PONDER THIS QUESTION: "ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE EASIER TO SLEEP AT YOUR DUTY STATION; SIT DOWN ON THE JOB THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU TO DO; RUN IN THE FACE OF SATAN’S ATTACK...OR YOU WILLING TO "STAND FAST IN THE LORD", EVEN IF IT MEANS SUFFERING PERSECUTION FOR A SEASON?"
