Stand Fast

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

The Apostle Paul was talking about not being entangled again in the bondage of the law, however there is much that could be said about this verse of Scripture. Whether we came out of a religious background or not, if we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our life then we have been made free. The Apostle Paul said we had to stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free. He said this in the past tense. Liberty has been purchased for us. We have been made free. If you are a Christian and you don’t consider yourself free, then ask your self this question. Am I standing fast in that which Christ has purchased for me? Am I boldly staking my claim to the freedom in Christ Jesus? The Word of God says here we have been made free. This is an accomplished fact, yet as I like to point out we have a part to play in this. He told us to do something. He told us to stand fast.

I have discovered through the years there have been times when I thought I had done what God’s Word told me to do and yet I was not always seeing what I thought should be Godly results. In these times I only know one thing to do. I go before the Lord and seek wisdom. Without fail God will give His wisdom to those who truly seek after it. His Word declares He will give wisdom liberally.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

When we truly have the wisdom and enlightenment of God’s Word to stand in and we refuse to budge, all the demons in Hell can’t move us. We have to stand fast in this liberty. Christ has truly made us free. This sounds so simple yet God’s Word will not fail us. It can not fail ever! Christians who say that they tried doing this and it didn’t work are really saying God’s Word tried them and they failed, for surely under no circumstances will God’s Word ever fail. It can not happen.

We have to realize that if there is a failure that we are the ones who fail God’s Word. If we are not succeeding then we must come to grips with where the failure lies.

I realize this sounds harsh and that is not my purpose here to condemn anyone, but if we are ever to grow up we have to learn from our mistakes and go on. Sometimes these lessons are hard, but the body of Christ must come to this place, the time is too short for anything else. Jesus is coming soon, and He is looking for a spotless bride, this doesn’t mean we are perfect but that we have an attitude of maturity and always willing to learn. With this kind of an attitude we will continue to grow. As we look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, when we keep our eyes on Him and not on the circumstances, we will grow from faith to faith to faith.

Many have taken the correct steps in learning the truth of God’s Word and have seen the reality of His Word and then backed down from their stand when the pressure has been turned up. I can assure you of this, pressure will be applied to get you to back off of your stand on God’s Word. Satan will make sure of it. This is persecution.

We should be encouraged to do as the Word of God says and we will see that there are end results that are for our benefit.

2 Timothy 3:10-17. But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.