Standing Firm

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
-Philippians 4:1

I’ve been mulling over some thoughts recently about “standing firm” in the strength of the Lord God.  Here are some rough notes concerning our role to remain strong in Christ…

How should we stand firm in the Lord?  Paul has just told of the promise and hope of Jesus’ return.  From Philippians 3:20-21 : ” But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Paul seems to suggest that the reality of our present citizenship in heaven and the power of Jesus to bring everything under his control and conform us to his glorious image is the way that we stand firm in Him — by understanding this, trusting in it, and by setting our hearts and hope in its reality for us now.

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul says nearly the same thing.  Essentially, he explains that the motive and power for standing firm comes from the truth that we get to share in the “glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Here:

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter (v 13-14).

Check out the way The Message translates Paul’s words from Galatians 6:13-15 concerning standing firm, specifically how to stand firm.  What it looks like.  Here it is:

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

And from 1 Corinthians 15:57-58:

“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.”