CHOOSE TO STAND FIRM

SCRIPTURE:

“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.” (1Corinthians 15:58 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

         Being a Christian is always a challenging life to have.  Being a Christian is not for the faintest of hearts.  We are in the world, but we are not of it.  We are aliens among those with whom we live.  There are so many challenges that we face as a believer.  We are not immune from what our non-believing friends are going through.  The sun rises on both Christians and non-Christians.  The rain does as well. 

         Thus, I love the exhortation and the admonition the apostle Paul reminded the believers in Corinth as they wrestled through understanding the issue of resurrection.  Paul addresses the resurrection of  Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the resurrection of the body. 

         Paul said that the resurrection of Christ, our hope of heaven, and our resurrection from the dead,  with putting on our new self, should be powerful enough to help us endure life.  We should never give up believing in the power of Christ’s resurrection.  Paul said, if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 

         Paul leveled with us believers by reminding us of what we must do in light of understanding the power of Jesus’ resurrection.  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters:

• STAND FIRM…  Nowadays, so many believers are not able to stand firm.  Believers are easily moved and influenced by the pull of the spirit of the world.  I must learn to stand firm, not allow the challenges to my faith, and walk with Jesus to move me.  
• LET NOTHING MOVE YOU… I must be careful of allowing anything to move me from standing firm in Christ.  Many things can quickly move me from trusting in God to fearing.  Paul said, LET NOTHING, “ which means I am the one that must not LET anything to move me.   In other words, it is not “anything” that will move me, but MY response to the things that seek to shake my faith.
• ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELF FULLY TO THE WORK OF THE LORD…This is another amazing reminder for me, which is based on my choices.  Standing firm and letting nothing move me are solely based on my choices and never the circumstances.  This too, is the same as well.  Always giving myself entirely to the Lord’s work is a choice I must make. 

Sometimes, I don’t feel like giving myself to serve God because of circumstances I am going through.  Paul reminded me again of the choices I must always make when faced with difficulties.  When I choose to serve Christ no matter what, God sees and knows that all I do is not in vain. 

APPLICATION:

         I was reminded of the power of my choices.  I can choose not to stand firm and immovable and become unfaithful, or I can walk in the power of the resurrected life and see Jesus walk with me through it all.  I desire to live with the resurrected power of Jesus daily.  I want to experience the power of his resurrection life in all that I do. 

PRAYER:

         Jesus, I ask that you help me see that your resurrected power is all I need to face life’s challenges.  Could you help me to stand firm in you?  Please teach me how to be unmoved by whatever life throws at me.  I ask that you help me always give myself to you for your service and glory.  Please teach me how to work for you faithfully.  Amen!