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).

Be like Jesus!

One of the books on my Study shelves is entitled 'Imitation of Christ', written by one, Thomas à Kempis, in the early 15th century.  It is, in fact, a devotional book, in four parts, written in order to encourage believers to follow the example of the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

However, being 'like' Jesus may be interpreted in different ways.  There are some who would like to walk around in traditional Middle Eastern garb of 2,000 years ago.  Of course, even I am able to remember being told that the sandals I was wearing, many years ago, were "Jesus sandals"!

Then there is the notice-board outside the church building that read: "Be like Jesus; attend services regularly" - presumably referring to Luke 4:16 "And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and He went to the synagogue, as His custom was, on the Sabbath Day."

The songwriters don't like to be missed out, either!  I recently came across this little gem:

"To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus; all I ask to be like Him;
All through life’s journey, from earth to glory,
All I ask to be like Him;

To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus; all I ask to be like Him;
Not in a measure, but in its fullness,
All I ask to be like Him."

But does the simple emulation of an example; or an expressed desire to emulate, actually make one person like another?  Apparently Alexander the Great had a twist in his neck that caused him to carry his head to one side.  All of his courtiers tried to imitate their hero - but it didn't make any of them a great general!  

There is, in the heart of every true disciple of Jesus, the desire expressed by another song-writer:

"I want, oh, I want to attain some likeness, my Saviour, to Thee. That longed-for resemblance once more to regain; Thy comeliness put upon me."

But does the copying of the Master; the following of His pattern; make us more Christlike?  We surely must recognise that the disciple of Jesus is not a carbon copy, but a channel through which the risen Saviour must manifest His life!  The branches do not attempt to be like the Vine (see John 15). Rather, the life of the Vine flows through the branches.  His life in us, released and unhindered, produces a likeness to Him that is genuine.  Someone has said that "When we become citizens of heaven, we can claim Christ's resurrection life.  All that He achieved and won becomes ours - if we desire, receive, and use it."  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have [i.e. have, here and now!] eternal life." (John 3:16).

Are you allowing the Christ to live His life in you?   "... Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col 1:27).  And that 'hope' is not the vague uncertainty of Charles Dickens' character, Mr Micawber - the 'hope' that "something will turn up".  It's a certain conviction that the promises of God are true, and will be fulfilled.   What are you going to do about it?!