“Stand
Fast In The Lord”
Philippians 3:17-4:1
17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and
mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18) (For many walk, of whom I have told you
often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of
Christ:
19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20) For our conversation is in heaven; from
whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus
Christ:
21) Who shall change our vile body,
that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
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is of the greatest importance for those already saved to take a “stand”
today—not only for themselves, but for the benefit of any and all potential
brothers and sisters in Christ. This is why God’s people are admonished to
“stand fast.” No one would suggest that we will be left “in peace” to do so,
for the devil is bound to do whatever is necessary to separate us from our
faith in God. And, after all he is known as “the master of deception.” In this
role, he has the ability to create “illusions” for any and all who are looking to be able to find “negatives.” This is
particularly “comforting” to those whose concern for their salvation is simply
a matter of “Can I get away with this?” as opposed to “Should I do this?”
Obviously,
for self-serving reasons there are many things with which the devil would have
us think there is nothing wrong. The key to “insulating” man from the devil (so
to speak) is to get him to stop thinking “his way” (or, the “human way”).
Making this so difficult is the fact that all humans want to feel that they
“know” something and therefore, are unwilling to “bow” to anyone else—even God.
It
is already difficult for a “fleshly” being to be able to see things the Lord’s
way (a.k.a. the “spiritual” way). If one is ever to view things as Christ does,
he must be willing to be spiritual. Needless to say, many people are not
willing. It seems as if, particularly now, we are most concerned with paying
“lip service” to salvation while living exactly how we please. What God wants
and requires is not to interfere with how much we are willing to give to Him.
We
make a very great error in “interfering” in God’s business. How do we most
commonly do this? By refusing to view or situations as
bringing about in our lives the “good” of God. Refusing, or not being
able, to identify the “good” in what happens to us leaves us feeling as if we
must be defensive of ourselves. Dealing with anything in this manner
perpetuates a vicious cycle, for the “help” that one feels he is not getting
from the Lord (as he goes through trying times) will never come as long as He
is not trusted. In order to be able to “stand fast in the Lord,” one must
believe and accept that whatever comes to me is for my “education;” is for the
purpose of making me my best infallible self for Christ. We must know that this
will bring us joy and satisfaction. We must hunger and thirst after truth.
We
were never saved “just to be saved.” There is a greater, more
noble purpose to life into which we have been brought. In that which is
flesh is not able to comprehend that which is spiritual, we who inhabit bodies
of flesh are used by God (after we receive the Holy Ghost) to minister to those
not touched by the Spirit, that their attention might be attained and they,
too, come to know God as Spirit. In this way, we can be catalysts of truth;
witnesses of truth to those without truth.
It
is a lie straight from the devil that there are some “things” from which God
does not save. Of course, one with this view always has an excuse for doing
what he does. God would not be God were we able to change Him with perpetuating
our weaknesses. Deliverance from all things was granted us on
Scripture
tells us that God’s “…people perish for lack of knowledge.” A “lack of
knowledge” translates to “lack of example,” for what better way is knowledge
gained than by example?
We
have become a people so consumed by self preservation that we have no time to
cultivate being an example to help someone else. Quite a bit of our time is
spent exercising what we feel is a valid “choice” to go through only what will please
us.
No
one will be able to be happy in salvation until he accepts that every trial and
test is sent our way to develop “spiritual muscle.” As strong as the devil is,
it only stands to reason that we need every ounce of strength we can cultivate
not only to simply be successful, but to be abundantly successful.
It
takes a “made up mind” to stand in the Lord. It is only this mind that will
be able to refuse to allow oneself to be “moved” from one’s place in the Lord.
A “made-up mind” is also a “right” mind—a mind free of the cares and concerns,
distractions and diversions of the rest of the World.