Paradise Café Discussions A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

I recenly did a little word study on "standing firm".

Here is what I came up with and I pray it benefits someone here.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
(1 Corinthians 6:13)

What does it mean to "stand firm"?

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
(Proverbs 10:25)

The Lord makes firm the steps of those who delight in him; though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord upholds them with his hand.
(Psalms 37:23-24)

"Stand Firm", G2476
histemi
Thayer Definition: to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place, to stand, to make firm, to be kept intact.

Why do we need to stand firm?

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
(1 Peter 5:8-10)

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. Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
(James 5:7-11)

Did you notice the two reasons from these texts? They were, “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour,” and "the Lord's coming is near."

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.
(2 Thessalonians 2:15)

But why? Look earlier.

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 9-14)

But what is involved with standing firm?

Peter mentioned that we have to resist the devil. So resistance is involved.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(James 4:7-8)

Peter also mentioned suffering. Yes, if we are to stand firm, we will have to suffer persecution.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.
(Philippians 1:29)

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
(2 Timothy 3:12)

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: 'Servants are not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
(John 15:19-21)

James mentioned we had to be patient, so patience is involved in standing firm.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
(Psalms 37:7)

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
(Psalms 40:1-3)

Another thing that is involved is freedom.

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.
(Galatians 5:1)

How then do we stand firm?

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.
(2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

We are able to stand firm because God make us. But there is also another side to this coin.

Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
(2 Corinthians 1:24)

So we also firm because of our faith. But standing firm is not always easy.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
(Galatians 5:13-26)

Whatever happens, as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
(Philippians 1:27-29)

As we have seen, we need to live a godly life and crucify our flesh.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor 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, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
(Ephesians 6:10-18)

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.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)

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)

"But," you may ask, "In what way is Paul taking about?" Well take a look at the previous chapter.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:7-14)

Paul mentioned he wanted to know the power of the resurrection. This is also another way we can stand firm.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
(Ephesians 1:18-20)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
(Ephesians 3:20)

What are the results of standing firm?

But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. Stand firm, and you will win life.
(Luke 21:12; 19)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:1-5)

Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. 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.
(Psalms 20:6-8)

Standing firm means we need the right foundation to stand on. Not one of quicksand that is forever changing (WT), but one of rock, like Jesus.
The two pillars in Soloman's temple were called Jachin and Boaz.
Read from left to right these two pillars said 'Jehovah has founded'.....'In strength'.
Thankfully neither was named after Isaac......laughter.
Perhaps that was the temple Samson pulled down.

vicky

Ain't that the truth?



Now...figure out the "delusion" and you're really onto something.

gus

Ah I think the delusion involves believing in ourselves for strength not Jehovah and Jesus.

The Greek for waiting patiently is perimeno. Many on this board know him.
http://www.perimeno.ca/
Another big toe nail. How many toe nails does the body of Christ need?

love vicky

ps Scattered one ......You are feelng like in a slimy pit. You will be lifted out and placed on the rock.

Aw shucks, Vicky. I already knew you were onto to something.

The tough part is for each of us individually to realize it. The more you know; the more you realize you don't know. Then when you finally realize you really don't know anything...you are in-line to know more than you could ever imagine.

The Very Idea!

gus

Yes, gus, I know what you mean. About two summers ago, I was going through a crisis of faith, trying to reconcile the growing and obvious problems I saw in WT theology, with the truths of the Bible. So, I was at my wits end. So many different people were pulling me in different directions, the Watchtower one way and Biblical Christianity the other. I was completely lost. I no longer knew what the truth was. I realized one night, that I didn't know anything, so, I prayed,

"Lord, I just want to serve you. I'm so lost right now. I do not know what the truth is or where it is to be found. Please, show me the way. I am lost without your guidance. I don't care where the truth is. Just show me the truth. I know that I have sinned against you and deserve punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I so deserve. I turn away from my sin and place my trust in Jesus alone for salvation. I am yours Lord, save me. Please Lord, lead me to the truth."

Then one night a few days later while I was on my way home I was born again. It was then when I asked anthony (from the forum), about my experience, he told me to read Philippians chapter 3. When I read this, for the first time, the Bible spoke to me. The verse that stuck out was:

"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ." - Philippians 3:8 NASB

It was the answer to my prayers! In effect, God said, "I am your shepherd, not these men. Forget about all these doctrines of men you've been taught. What really matters is that you know Jesus. Don't just know about Jesus, but know him personally. Start form knowing Jesus. The rest will fall into place."

I had heard stories of Witnesses who lived in Bethel, and were secretly studying Romans and Ephesians, (or was it Galatians?). I wondered what was so great about Romans and Ephesians, so I began to study Romans. And it was like my eyes were opened. And like you said gus, I was in-line to know more than I could ever imagine.

What a heartfelt prayer!

Humility will win out.
Sorry but silly grinning pig emoticon does not say what I want to say.

BTW it was Romans and Galatians.

Boy howdy, Matt.

That experience is reserved for the one having it. The Lord reveals himself to the individual who has cast aside all else except that one relationship. The miracle happens when all else is seen through the eyes of the new you within the new relationship. Nothing else rises to the level that it formerly did, because everything pales by comparison. The second miracle happens when you realize that every other relationship is better when it prioritized with respect to the first.

The Lord does work in mysterious ways! Anthony has made it clear that he despises me. I doubt he could give me a bottle of cold water on a hot day. I've stopped trying to figure out all the mysteries of the universe. All that matters is that God's will be done.

gus

We're all on a learning curve together and sometimes forget where others are. Maybe we do not know where we are, or we know where others are not. Is it we who yet need to learn? or is it they? Do we really know on which end of the curve we are? Is this a competition or a contest?

No need to presume. Perhaps through silence we acknowledge both what we know and what we don't know. That will be our ultimate test. Only modesty, endurance, brotherly love and affection will help us all to win in the end.

Love,

sw