Although God does not force us to do things His way, His encouragement is a constant benefit in the lives of those who choose to follow Him.
Ephesians 6:11: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."
It is of utmost importance to stand firm in God as a Christian. God provides the strength, wisdom, and patience to endure in the face of circumstances and situations that might otherwise cause anxiety and fear.
Therefore, it is imperative that, as Christians, we daily stand firm in our faith and hold God at the center of our existence.
Although God does not force us to do things His way, His encouragement is a constant benefit in the lives of those who choose to follow Him. Daily practice in the awareness of God's presence and guidance is key to the ongoing ability to trust in His providence. It is also necessary to know that God is with us, and we must understand His guidance, as this would enable us to stand firm in the face of difficulties. We must also put him at the center of our existence.
Philippians 1:27 says, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent. I will hear from you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel."
We are admonished as Christians in this verse to conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner and to stand firm. We can do so by living every aspect of our lives following the examples that Jesus set for us by showing love, praying, extending kindness, being in sync with the Holy Spirit, and surrendering our lives to God Almighty.
Just as the children of Israel stood firm in God's finished work and were able to cross Jordan on dry ground to their inheritance, so must Christians of today stand firm in Jesus Christ so we can cross into our inheritance.
Have Unconditional Faith in God
One way we must stand firm in God is by having uncompromising faith in him alone. Christians are expected to have faith in the sacrifice and accomplishments of Christ on the cross, but, unfortunately, many Christians today lack faith in what the Lord Jesus Christ has already done, triumphant in His resurrection from the dead.
Instead, some Christians think the sacrifices they must make are a condition of salvation. They think that good works affect their future rewards or that "works" can be some atonement for sin. You cannot fully transition from sin to holiness, change a curse to blessing, sickness to health, loss to victory, failure to success, or poverty to prosperity unless you have faith in Jesus Christ and remain firm in Him.
Fortify Yourself with the Word of God
"Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13
As Christians, we must understand that we are always at war in the spiritual realm. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).
The armor of God we need includes the words of God, the scriptures, and prophetic verses in the Bible. We must meditate on the words of God day and night to be able to unlock so many powers that would be required in case of any attack. The Word of God is our sword and our shield against evil forces. Our faith and love for God will always be tried and attacked by the devil and his host of demons. We are therefore admonished to always be prepared and to put on the complete armor of God as our protection.
Pray Fervently
If we are to pray with passion, it must be real and from the heart. Indeed, Jesus cautions about praying just to look impressive. Fervent prayer does not necessarily involve eloquent words. It is about our feelings and passions for the situation we are praying about, just as God is deeply passionate about it.
By praying fervently, we become more resistant and resilient to the challenges confronting us. Here are some benefits we can enjoy from standing firm in God:
1. Abundant Protection
One of the benefits of standing firm in God is that we enjoy his unlimited and unconditional protection. God will never leave his children to be overcome by attacks from enemies. The Bible says in Genesis 28:15, "Behold I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest."
As children of God, we always have the Lord by our side.
Psalm 121:8 is written: "The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
These are some of the promises of God for us. Isaiah 40:31 further encourages: "But those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."
2. Blessings and Breakthrough
Philippians 4:19-20 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."
When we wait upon the Lord and stand firm in his holiness, we are certain to receive his abundant blessings in all ramifications of our lives. God will grant us a divine breakthrough in every situation we might be confronted with.
Ephesians 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
3. Divine Restoration
Our salvation, divine healing and deliverance, broken relationships and family problems, financial challenges, and more will all be restored in Jesus's name.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 91:1-2
Waiting faithfully on the Lord brings divine restoration, and we will regain all we have lost. So let us wait faithfully on the Lord, and He will strengthen us and restore our lives in ways we could never have imagined. Job 42:10-17
4. Divine Victory over Tribulations
When faced with difficult life challenges, such as loss, personal adversity, or a difficult relationship, our emotions can be overwhelmed. We may feel sadness, anger, frustration, and even fear. But it is important to remember that we can overcome tribulations if we have faith in God.
1 Corinthians 15:57. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
When we experience tribulations, it can be difficult to maintain our focus and stay positive. But it is important to remember that tribulations are temporary and that we will eventually overcome them.
The key is to stay positive and focused on our goals, stay committed to working through our problems, and keep our faith in God alive, as this is how we stand firm in Him.
God will no doubt grant us victory over these challenges. He has never failed, and He never will.
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
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