Stand Firm: Not Our Doing, but His

Stand firm. The simple phrase used in the bible so many times, actually I looked it up and the phrase standing firm or around those words is used 34 times in the bible. Now, obviously if a word or phrase is repeated in one book you know that this is probably important and should be looked into right? I think so personally, but when we think of what it means to stand firm we get some different and twisted perceptions that tend to be different than the true heart behind it. So, today I want to dive into that phrase and look at it from a biblical stand point and show how that is completely opposite than what we are fed by this world.

Let's look at some verses with that phrase in it. The first piece of scripture that I want to look at is Matthew 10:22 where it states, "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Another place is in Luke 21:19, "Stand firm, and you will win life." 

Now when you read those two verses the first thing that comes to my mind at least is that somehow standing firm and the act of doing that is something that I have to do by myself. That it is on my own power that this "standing firm" is all about, and in that I have to work in order to be saved in the end at judgement. That is what society tells us as well isn't it? That in order to overcome anything in this world that you have power through, and overcome through your own power. Pull up your britches and take it all head on. But, this isn't what God's desire is for you when it says standing firm in his Word.

A better example in scripture that depicts at least what I think is meant by standing firm is written by Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 when he says, "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." This is the perfect foundation to stand firm upon. (Pun intended) God's desire is not for us to try and do this all on our own power, and standing firm does not mean for us to work harder or do better for God, but instead relying on him for it. Look what it says in verse 21 where it says that "it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ." So in other words, God made us, let me repeat that, HE MADE US to not stand firm by our own, but what did it say after the stand firm. It says IN CHRIST! No not to stand firm on our own, not on our own power, but through CHRIST we can stand firm. IN HIM not of ourselves! That is what standing firm means. So in closing, I just want to say just like it does in the title. Standing firm is most definitely our doing, but is and always will be HIS doing. So, my question for you is then. Are you standing firm on your own? or do you stand firm in what Christ has already done upon that cross and what is waiting for you in eternity?

Father God, we just come to you tonight in amazing praise. Not for what we have done or anything that we will do, but for everything that has been done by your Son upon that cross. Thank you for that. We just ask tonight that you continue to work in our hearts and allow us to stand firm according to your Word and remind us continuously that you are what keeps us standing firm Lord. We can continue to do that because of you and only you Father. We love you so much, and are reminded daily of that through the cross. In the name of your Son Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.