(Continue to)STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH 1 Cor 16:13, 15:58
Paul is drawing to a close his first letter to the Corinthian Church and he tells them twice in a few verses to ‘STAND FIRM’ and ‘Let nothing move you’. It was obviously important to Paul and the Lord, that all his hard work in establishing the Church in Corinth would not be wasted. Two of the greatest weapons of the enemy are disappointment and discouragement, he tries to use all sorts of difficulties to beat us down and keep us downcast. But many times in the Word, Paul exhorts us and fellow believers to ‘STAND FIRM’.
Once, some time ago, when returning from a night visit in hospital I decided (or more likely was led) to go to a friend’s house for the end of a Sunday night meeting. I was feeling a bit down after the hospital but soon after I came into the meeting the Lord began to speak to me about a stranger, we’d never met before, in the meeting. I was shown that they had an apostlic calling on their lives and it was important to the Lord that they ‘STOOD FIRM’ and didn’t give up on it. Even apostles, prophets and other ministers can become dejected and downcast by the attacks of the enemy(the gift of encouragement can be very valuable, though it’s often downplayed). On this night an Apostle was encouraged and ‘Took a Stand’ to go on with the Lord.
Paul is encouraging us to STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH AND LET NOTHING MOVE US, something we have to set ourselves to do(and say to ourselves, speak it out and decree it when facing opposition, I WILL STAND FIRM AND NOTHING WILL MOVE ME!) no matter what our circumstances. We can also encourage others going through difficulties, not to give up, but to STAND FIRM IN THEIR FAITH. God has put us together in His body to support and encourage one another, it’s good to look out for our brothers and sisters and help them when possible.
In Paul’s days, right at the beginning of the Church Age, there was intense opposition to the founding of the new body. I believe, at the End of Age, we too are entering a time of growing opposition to Christ’s body and need to really take hold of Paul’s words.
Be on your guard; STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH; be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Cor 16:13,14 NIV
Keep your eyes open, HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR CONVICTIONS, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping. 1 Cor 16:13,14 MSG
Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; STAND TRUE TO THE LORD; act like men; be strong; and what ever you do, do it with kindness and love. 1 Cor 16:13,14 TLB
Other ‘STAND FIRM’ verses;
He(the Lord) will KEEP YOU STRONG to the end, 1 Cor 1:8
…the Lord makes us STAND FIRM in Christ, 2 Cor 1:21
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. STAND FIRM, then and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1
Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to STAND YOUR GROUND, and after you have done everything to STAND. STAND FIRM THEN… Eph 6:13,14
God bless and keep you today.