Stand Firm

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Scripture:

1Cor. 15:58        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.

Observation:

The threat of physical death was not enough to shake Paul’s faith in Jesus Christ. He believed in resurrection power which removed the sting of death. This faith was foundational to his encouragement of others. Nothing which happens here on this earth should move us from our faith in the Lord. Instead we are to stand firm and continue to do the Lord’s work and this work is not in vain for it speaks to the eternal.

Application:

Every day brings with it the opportunity to shake our faith. Last evening there were horrific events in Paris, France. Watching the scenes unfold it seemed almost surreal to imagine the sheer terror which people were experiencing.

This just doesn’t seem to make sense — why would anyone want to hurt so many people?

The apostles faced the reality of evil in the world. Throughout history we have had moments when humanity has behaved in horrific ways. The temptation at that moment is to respond in anger, hurt and frustration. And yet, it is at these moments that a word written nearly 2000 years ago reaches out from history and speaks to us. Dangers have and will always abound. We must be cognizant of genuine evil which will battle against the kingdom of God. The battle is not new, it may simply taking different forms but the encouragement from Paul is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Paul didn’t allow distractions to keep him from the goal of knowing Christ and giving himself fully to the work of the Lord. Now, more than ever, God’s people must seek his face and live into the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of pointing fingers at others, we need to stand firm and give ourselves wholly to the Lord.

Today is a wake up call for all of God’s children, one which ought to cause us to examine our own spiritual condition in light of the Spirit. Our response should be to reflect Christ even more brightly than we ever have before. We can only stand firm, when we are growing deeper in our relationship with the Lord. To live like Christ is not to labor in vain. May we humble ourselves before our Lord today, seeking him and reflecting him in our response to the pain in our world.

Prayer:

Lord, draw me close to you and help me to stand firm.  Amen.


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