BY PASTOR T. O. BANSO
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” (Philippians 4:1 NIV).
In different verses, the Bible tells the believer to stand firm. This command, along with others, is powerful. If someone is told to stand firm, it suggests that there are things that can challenge or oppose him. The Bible refers to the diverse ways the believer should stand firm, which include the following:
1. Stand firm in the Lord, constantly remembering that you are a citizen of heaven and keeping your eyes on Jesus. In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul states that the believers are citizens of heaven. Continuing this thought in Philippians 4, Paul says in verse 1, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” (NIV). Note the phrase “stand firm in the Lord in this way.”
One way for believers to stand firm is to stand firm in the Lord, constantly remembering that they are citizens of heaven and not of this earth, and keep their eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2a says we should look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
After giving your heart to Jesus, never forget that you are a citizen of heaven. Don’t be engrossed with the things of this earth. 1 Corinthians 7:13 says, “Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away” (NLT).
As a citizen of heaven, you should think of or set your mind on heavenly things. “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:1-2 NLT).
2. Stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (NASB). You must stand firm against the devil’s schemes, but this will be impossible without putting on the full or whole armour of God, which Paul outlined in verses 14-19. Verse 13 says, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” (NIV). In this scripture, Paul again mentioned the full armour of God and the need to stand firm.
1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too” (TLB). Note the phrase “Stand firm when he attacks.” Indeed, Satan will attack.
Stand firm in the faith; stand firm when Satan attacks. Don’t let anything move you away. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (NIV). Endure persecutions; persevere under trial. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (NIV). Stand firm by persevering under trial. “If we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12 NAB).
If you stand firm without fear, God will give you victory. Moses told the Israelites, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again” (NIV).
Similarly, Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, told King Jehoshaphat of Judah, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV). If you have faith in God and stand firm, you also will see the deliverance the Lord will give you.
3. Stand firm, holding on the the Word of God you have been taught. Don’t let go of the truth. Walk in it. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 says, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter” (NIV).
Also, the apostle John says in 3 John 4:1, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (NKJV). Stand firm, walking in the truth. Joshua 23:6 says, “Be steadfast and very determined to keep and to do everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you do not turn aside from it to the right or the left” (AMP).
4. Stand firm in Christ’s freedom. Don’t allow the yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (NIV). Christ has truly set us free from the slavery of the law. Therefore, you must stay free. Don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Stand firm in the freedom Jesus has given you.
2 Corinthians 1:24 says it is by faith that you stand firm. Stand firm by faith in Christ’s freedom. The law does not justify you, but you are justified freely by grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7). You are saved by grace, not works (Ephesians 2:5, 8-9). Stand firm in Christ’s freedom. The latter part of 1 Peter 5:12 says to stand firm in God’s grace. Let nobody put you in bondage. If the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36). Live in freedom, but don’t use your freedom as a cover-up for evil (1 Peter 2:16a). You cannot continue in sin so that grace may increase (Romans 6:1).
5. Stand firm so that you don’t fall into temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (NIV). Temptation is not a sin, but it is a sin if you fall into it. Be careful. Verse 13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (NIV).
Run from sin and live a righteous life, for God made Him (Jesus), who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as Christ is righteous (1 John 3:7b).
Stand firm and flee sin. As it has been rightly said, sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. Don’t be careless or complacent if you think you’re standing. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before” (NKJV).
The apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (NKJV). He also says in Colossians 3:5 that you should put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Stand firm so that you don’t fall into temptation.
6. Stand firm to fight for the faith of the gospel. Stand firm, joining other believers to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to His holy people (Jude 1:3). Philippians 1:27 says, “Now, the important thing is that your way of life should be as the gospel of Christ requires, so that, whether or not I am able to go and see you, I will hear that you are standing firm with one common purpose and that with only one desire you are fighting together for the faith of the gospel” (GNT).
Stand firm for the gospel and the kingdom of God, and represent Christ well. Don’t compromise your faith in Him. “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I was compelled to write to you [urgently] appealing that you fight strenuously for [the defense of] the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith that is the sum of Christian belief that was given verbally to believers]” (Jude 1:3 AMP).
Don’t be ashamed of Jesus. He said, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26 NIV). Mark 8:38 and Luke 12:8-9 say a similar thing.
7. Stand firm, always giving yourself fully to the work of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, 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” (NIV).
Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24 NLT). Stand firm always to do the Lord’s work.
Don’t become weary or lazy in doing His work. “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11 NLT). Your labour in the Lord is not in vain. He will reward you. “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:16a NKJV).
8. Stand firm, patiently and eagerly waiting for the Lord’s return. James 5:7-8 says, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (NIV). Note the phrase “be patient and stand firm.”
Every child of God must be patient and stand firm for the Lord’s coming. Paul talks in Philippians 3:20 about eagerly awaiting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, from heaven. He says in 2 Timothy 4:8 that the crown of righteousness will be given to him and all those eagerly waiting for Jesus to come again.
Stand firm, awaiting His return. Only those who stand firm to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22b; 24:13; Mark 13:13). Everything does not end here on earth. Eternity is waiting for everyone – eternity with God or with the devil, eternal punishment or eternal life (Matthew 25:41, 46).
Conclusion: Are you standing firm? Stand and keep standing. It is not by your power but by the Holy Spirit. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13). Depend on Him to stand firm. Trust in the name of the Lord, and you will rise and stand firm. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm” (Psalm 20:7-8 NIV).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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