Bible Thoughts

June 13, 2004

The people of God, in any period of time, should be willing and eager to stand fast for the truth and righteousness. It is necessary for Christians to remember that each of us have a responsibility to uphold the truth, live a righteous life, and encourage others to stand up for the ways of God.

The ones of whom Obadiah speaks let indifference to what was happening, allowing the enemies of God's people to enter the city of Jerusalem. The prophet is pointing out that they were not any better than the invaders. The Israelites did not take up arms and resist the enemies of the Hebrews. They stood by and watched the city that belonged to God's people be ransacked.

The New Testament reveals, in several passages, that one is to stand fast as a Christian. Weakness of one's faith leads to departure from the truth. Such weakness may be in ignoring the morals taught by inspired men or in a failure to respect the truth. Over time, there have been many departures from the truth because disciples have failed to stand up for righteousness and practice that righteousness in one's own life. Let us take notice of the following passages:

1. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong"(I Corinthians 16:13). It does take one who is willing to follow the commands of Christ and behave in the manner set forth in the New Testament to please the Lord. It takes one who has the strength and determination of the righteous men of the Bible to remain true to the Lord and His way. Let each disciple resolve to stand fast by following the truth, acting like those great men of the Bible, and be as strong as the saints of the first century. Over the centuries, many have failed to stand fast against innovations that have divided God's people. They lacked the strength to stand fast for what is right.

2. "For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage"(Galatians 5:1). A great number of the Christians in the days of the apostles had come out of Judaism and resolved to follow Jesus Christ. Such obedient servants had the freedom that was offered to the one who would be a faithful disciple. Paul is encouraging those who left Judaism not to return to the "yoke" that would put them in bondage once again. Due to their past, it would take a dedicated person who would stand fast for the teachings of the Lord. There is always a sadness when those who would be faithful return to error, rejecting truth. The teachings of men, including certain brethren, place themselves in a "yoke of bondage" when they reject the patterns and examples for the life of a disciple as found in the New Testament.

3. "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel"(Philippians 1:27).

Paul wanted those disciples at Philippi to be strong in faith, always standing up for the truth of God. They were not to be righteous only when Paul was present, but they were to stand up for the "faith of the gospel" even when he was absent.

It seems easier for one to be faithful when in the presence of those who are faithful. It does help each of us to have encouragement to follow the Lord's way. One can sing and pray and give and learn while in the assembly and go back out into society refreshed because we have fellowshipped other dedicated disciples. However, one is to be a Christian at all times, whatever the circumstances. Hence, when one is with Christians and when there are no Christians near me or you, we are to stand fast in proper moral behavior.

4. "Wherefore, my brethren, beloved and longer for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved"(Philippians 4:1).

Every disciple needs the encouragement to be faithful to the commands of the Lord. Paul is praising these brethren as well as revealing his feelings for them. To have an apostle commend them had to be a great spiritual honor. Such feelings from Paul would surely move them to be even more dedicated as Christians. A word to a weak disciple; a word to an erring disciple; even a word to the strong can be the fuel that will encourage the soul to be happy. Such encouragement is not limited to the pulpit but should be offered at any time. A word from a caring disciple may be the spark that ignites the soul to greater dedication to the Master.

"...for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord"(I Thessalonians 3:8).

Timothy brought "glad tidings" about the spiritual conditions of the church in Thessalonica. They remembered Paul. Surely, none could fail to see the dedication of this apostle as manifest by his life and sacrifices. His example would not only influence the Christians of that day, but has been the encouragement through the centuries to the saints of God, guiding them to be stronger in the faith.

"So then brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours"(II Thessalonians 2:15).

The source of truth is the gospel of Christ. It is to be preached in this century as it was preached in the days of Paul. The "traditions" of which came from the Lord through inspired men constitute the standard for Christians. The New Testament is the only standard for truth in our day. The human disciplines, doctrines of men, and commandments of fallible beings are not acceptable to the God who made us. There is not one additional truth been revealed to mankind since the last inspired man of the New Testament put down his pen to write no more.

The Lord has furnished us, through His word, everything that we need to teach, believe, and practice. The New Testament, as James stated, is perfect. You cannot improve on what is perfect. Those who would add to His word and write human doctrines are defying what James pointed out in that passage. You cannot improve upon perfect. Jesus Christ was a perfect sacrifice. Through inspired men, he left us a perfect law. Men may corrupt what it says through their messages, but the truth is still truth because it is perfect!