Stand Fast in Liberty
The bottom line of standing is that it must always be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13–14 APNT:
13 Watch and stand in the faith. Act mature. Be strong.
14 And all your affairs should be [done] with love.
“Be strong” has the sense of “grow stronger” or “be an overcomer.”
Some among the Galatians claimed that believers must be circumcised and keep the law.
Galatians 5:1 APNT:
Stand fast, therefore, in the freedom [for] which Christ freed us and do not be subjected again41 with the yoke of bondage.
“Stand” is from the Greek word steko, meaning to persevere or persist.
Galatians 5:6 APNT:
For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but faith that is matured by love.
We stand fast; we stick to it. But we must do it together and we must do it in love. Living this way will lead to maturing.
In Philippi, the believers had great faith but were really known for their joy.
Philippians 1:27 APNT:
Conduct yourselves as is becoming to the gospel of Christ, so that if I come, I may see you and if I am distant, I may hear about you, that you are standing in one spirit and in one soul and [that] you are conquering together in the faith of the gospel.
We are being victorious together.
2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 APNT:
13 But we are indebted to give thanks to God always for you, our brothers, beloved of our Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to life by the holiness of the Spirit and by the faith of the truth.
14 For to these [things] he called you by our preaching to be a glory for our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we walk in the freedom in Christ, according to our new nature, we stand in faith, persevere, and persist, and our lives become a glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 APNT:
Therefore, my brothers, stand fast and hold firmly to the commandments that you learned, whether by word or by our letter.
One of the ways we have freedom in Christ is by being servants.
2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 APNT:
16 [You are] as free men, and not as men whose freedom is made a veil to them for their wickedness, but as servants of God.
17 Honor everyone. Love your brothers and reverence God and honor kings.
There is honor in serving each other with love.
Ephesians 6:13–17 APNT:
13 Because of this, put on the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to engage the Evil [one] and, being prepared in everything, you will stand [steko] firm.
14 Therefore, stand and gird up your waist with truthfulness and put on the breastplate of justification
15 and bind [as a sandal] on your feet the goodness of the gospel of peace.
16 And with these, take to you the shield of faith, by which you will be empowered with strength to quench all the fiery arrows of the Evil [one].
17 And set on [your head] the helmet of redemption and take hold of the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
“Promises” (Naomi Raine and Joe Barnes):
Click here to read the lyrics.
Flame of Truth # 37 by Alison Smith:
Take a moment to think back on all that God has done for you in 2021,
and thank Him for His blessings. Our God is faithful….
and He works behind the scenes to bless His beloved people.
We do not let circumstances speak louder than Truth.
We do not fear…we pray….and we believe God…in word and deed.
May you be at rest, knowing that God has great plans for you.
You don’t have to struggle or strive to bring your heart’s desires to pass. Take your eyes off any negative circumstances that may be in your life—and look to our Lord Jesus….simply receive all that He has for you.
When you lift Him up, all enemies will scatter.
Have the heart of the great prophet Isaiah, who said
For the Lord God will help me;
Therefore I shall not be confounded:
Therefore have I set my face like a flint,
And I know that I shall not be ashamed.
Isaiah 50:7
Let’s walk in that freedom that Jesus Christ obtained for us, and let’s stand together.
We stand in faith because of what Christ accomplished for us and we can persist and persevere, overcoming together, with joy and living the mystery. Let’s put on the whole armor of God and STAND FAST!
Bookstore Suggestions:
