Stand Fast

"Stand fast!" It's the command that one might hear as a soldier facing an attack by the enemy. The order is, in effect, to hold one's position even in the face of what might appear to be overwhelming odds.

So some might be surprised to hear the apostle, Paul, give the same command to the disciples of Jesus in the city of Philippi, located in northern Greece, near the border with modern-day Macedonia. The city was founded by Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, in the 4th century BC. It was later conquered by the Romans and became an important Roman colony.

In his letter to the local believers, Paul exhorts: "Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand fast thus in the Lord, my beloved." (4:1)

Several adjectives precede the command contained in this text. Not only does Paul twice use "dearly beloved" to describe his relationship with the Philippians, but he also insists that he longs for them and anticipates joy at the recognition of the "crown" he will receive in heaven.

 

These are intense words. "agapetos" is the descriptive Greek term translated "dearly beloved." The Heavenly Father uses that same word to express His love for His "beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17). Most of the New Testament letters freely use agapetos to describe various personal relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ. That unique and deeply spiritual love is what demonstrates our difference to the unsaved. So John records the words of the Lord Jesus: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35).

 

Since Paul is separated from the Philippian church (almost certainly writing the letter from prison in Rome), his love for them caused him to "yearn for [them] all with the affection of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:8). That passionate ache is mitigated by the joy coming from the certain knowledge that his work will result in a "crown" (4:1; Greek stephanos - a victor's crown, often associated with achievement and honour) when God rewards our service. "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

 

So, "let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel," (Philippians 1:27). "Be watchful, stand fast in your faith, be courageous, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13). "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1). Stand fast in the liberty that salvation provides. Don't become tangled up in the bondage of legalistic burdens . "For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:8).