Tag Archives: Stand firm

Who Will Stand for God In the Last Days?

06 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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Take a moment to use your imagination and ponder the following circumstance:

You have decided to enter into your country’s military to serve in active warfare against a formidable foe. The enemy who you are battling against has declared war on your country and everything that it stands for.  As a citizen, you recognize that you have a personal obligation to stand and fight this foe. So, you join the campaign to stand against the enemy.  Realizing that casualties are occurring and that you are in danger of losing everything, you are determined to battle against the enemy. Regardless of the threats or the actual deaths that you see, you fight because you know what the cause is for. Even when many around you fall and it seems that the enemy is winning the war, you fight. The call of duty is a call that you have answered despite the challenges or the climate of the war.

In reality, all of humanity is involved in a war.  The war that we all participate in is one that isn’t against human flesh but against the principalities and rulers of darkness according to Ephesians 6:12. Whether you are fighting on the side of God and His righteousness, or you have given into the shameful lusts and sins of the world, you are in a battle.  However, the side that will always win and defy the odds, is the side that is affiliated with Jesus Christ.

In a well-known passage of Matthew 24, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the signs of the end times.  Throughout this chapter, signs include much of what we are seeing today, (e.g. Earthquakes, wars, pestilences, an increase in sinfulness). However, Jesus makes an important statement that ties into the current structure of our society:

After Jesus mentions the beginning signs of the end of days He says in verses 9-13:

(NIV) “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” 

The first thing to examine in this scripture is the increase in persecution concerning Christians. While historically, Christians have been persecuted for centuries, it is the rapid escalation of persecution that will occur just before Jesus Christ returns. If you look at our society today, Christians are being persecuted around the world much more than in times past. There will come a day (even in America) in which Christians will experience persecution for not capitulating with the order of society. Notice what Jesus says in verse 10 when He says that “many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” 

Various studies and trends are actually pointing to a growing majority that are no longer identifying with the Christian faith.  It isn’t just the fact that many are no longer attending church services.  The projection is that many are deciding not to affiliate with Jesus Christ and God.  Basically, many are now adopting the secular humanist mindset and forsaking the things of God altogether.  This is the very thing that Jesus said would happen in the last days, and it is happening now.  We are experiencing the “Great falling away” as 2 Thessalonians 2:3 mentions. The time of rampant wickedness is the time that we are living in.

If you look further in Matthew 9-13, you will see the words, “false prophets.” This is meant to denote those who speak against God’s truth and entice those who are willing to listen, to believe the lies that satan has put forth. Looking at the constant push for the acceptance of homosexuality and even the transgender lifestyle, many in our world are falling for the lies that satan is pushing. Now, there are many who are seeking to indoctrinate young children to believe that it is perfectly normal for two individuals of the same sex to get married. Even children are now being taught that you can change the gender you were born as.  Essentially, what satan is doing is actively pursuing young children, because he knows that they will perpetuate the next generations. If he is successful in distorting God’s order, then the next generations will reap chaos and confusion.

As Jesus said, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” which is what is happening in our world today.  Regardless of what sins are approved of, anything that goes against God’s decrees and His design will always bring with it negative consequences.  However, Jesus offers an encouraging statement in the latter part of verse 13 which says, “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”  

This is meant to be for those who have decided to follow after God by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Even if our world continues to decay and the effects of sin worsen, those who are willing to take a stand for God will be saved. However, Jesus offers more hope in verse 22 when He says, (NLT) “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.” 

What Jesus is alluding to is the entire theme of Matthew 24, which is that the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ is imminent.  Verse 22 only confirms that time continues to shorten, so that those who are chosen of God and will choose Him in the pardon of their sins, will be able to survive.  Think about it in this context – if violence and various types of tragedies continued without an end, then humanity would always suffer in anguish.  At some point, God promises to put an end to all of the chaos, by setting up His Kingdom on the Earth. Of course, those who choose to reject Him both now and in the future, will be addressed justly – however, the end of the world as we know it must happen, but only in God’s timing.

The main point that we should take away from this message is that only those who are willing to stand will be saved in the end.  Our world is constantly pushing sinfulness and conformity to every image that is against God’s design. Many have decided not to take a stand but to remain silent due to fearfulness, and not wanting to be marginalized by society.  Jesus Christ did not die so that you and I would perish, but He died and rose again so that you and I could experience eternal life.  That is something that is worth standing for.

Regardless of what the media and even those in your life may try to suggest is “acceptable” and the “right way to live”, God’s truth does not change.  His truths are immutable and they are concrete. The world sinks lower and lower into chaos, because of humanity’s insistence on rebellion against God. However, those who are willing to take a stand will be saved and will receive the reward of everlasting life.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?  If not, you have an opportunity to receive Him in the pardon of your sins.  Our world will not get better but worse. Instead of wondering how you can get through our social and even economic climate on your own, the one and True God is there and He is willing to help you. For those of us who are in Christ, stand firm in the faith and stand up for God’s righteousness.  Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for all, and by rejecting the sinfulness of our world and speaking up, we are proving that Christ’s sacrifice was not in vain.  So, like a soldier who fights in a war, stand and fight the good fight of faith.

Stand Firm In The Faith

12 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in Christian, Christianity, God, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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Over the last few years, there have been various reports of many Americans and even those worldwide who have left the faith.  A recent report from CNN.com gives actual statistics of those who are “Millennials” who are no longer participating in church activities, nor associating with Christianity.  According to the article which was published today, the percentage of those identifying with Christianity has and continues to drop significantly:

“Released Tuesday, the survey of 35,000 American adults shows the Christian percentage of the population dropping precipitously, to 70.6%. In 2007, the last time Pew conducted a similar survey, 78.4% of American adults called themselves Christian.”

“People who profess no faith affiliation — often called “nones,” as in “none of the above” — now form nearly 23% percent of the country’s adult population, according to the Pew study. That puts the unaffiliated nearly on par with evangelicals (25.4%) and ahead of Catholics (about 21%) and mainline Protestants (14.7%).”

What is even more alarming is that there is a growing trend of those both claiming Christianity, and even those who are not affiliated, that have shown support for “same-sex marriage”.  Recent polls conducted nationwide have shown that many churches are now accepting same-sex weddings, leaving those who do not support it in the minority.  It is quite easy for those who are truly following God in obedience to become discouraged.  Truthfully, in these times it seems that the majority are now living in sin and promoting a Godless society for current and future generations.  While those who are following Christ, seem to be outnumbered. However, the Bible gives each Christian clear instructions on how to live, but also encouragement during difficult times.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, the Apostle Paul gives a word of encouragement to his fellow brothers in Christ. He says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Paul’s message to us is also to stand firm in the faith and to be courageous. At the time of Paul’s life, he and other Christians faced perilous situations.  Some were crucified, beheaded, beaten, and utterly expelled from the societies they once lived in. Persecution against Christians has and continues to occur even in our present time. However, the Apostle Paul gives Christians encouragement to stand firm in the faith. What does that mean?

To stand firm is to hold a stance that is unwavering.  It is to be fixed in a position that requires a concerted effort to displace or move one from where they stand.  Even in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Paul writes to fellow Christians, when he says, “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.” The Apostle Paul was an individual who not only challenged Christians and non-Christians about sinful behavior, but he was known for encouraging those in Christ.

What we as Christians need to understand is that despite the perilous times and the many who have chosen to reject God, we must stand firm in the faith. To stand firm in the faith, means that we are to hold fast or steady as it concerns the things of God.  In the scripture of 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul is giving Christians admonishment not to forget or forsake the things taught to them.  What we are seeing in today’s world, is a rapid abandonment of Godly values.

Those who were perhaps raised in the church, have chosen not to embrace God for themselves.  Instead, many who are in this current generation (Millennials) have essentially dismissed the idea of Christianity or God.  As a result, there has and continues to be a decline in both morality and Godly values.  However, God is still desirous of a generation that will stand up for Him and His words.

Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world, which means that the invitation to receive salvation stands to this day.  While it is quite clear that many have chosen to walk away from God and abandon the precepts that God has put into place, there are still those who God has chosen to be set apart.  The main encouragement we should bear in mind is that we are fighting in a spiritual battle.

In Ephesians 6: 10-18, the Apostle Paul gives an illustration of what fighting in this spiritual battle consists of.  Paul uses the imagery of a Roman solider because, during his time, it was the norm to see soldiers that wore the battle gear as Paul describes.  In that scripture, the Apostle Paul mentions “The Full Armor of God“.  What is the Full Armor of God?  It can be summed up in 6 parts:

1. The belt of truth
2. The breastplate of righteousness
3. The shoes fitted with the gospel of peace
4. The shield of faith
5. The helmet of Salvation
6. The sword of the Spirit (word of God)

While these are metaphorical in their context, each part is used to describe the spiritual application.  The point that Paul is making concerning the Full Armor of God is that we must stand firm in what we believe, and we must do battle in the Spirit.  This means, that we must fight the good fight of faith, in a spiritual sense.  We who are in Christ are called to be separate from the world, and to hold our ground.  Although society continues to evolve, Christians should not change or compromise the truth of God for satan’s lies.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, that Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but His words will not pass away.  The things of this Earth, and the changing patterns of our world are all temporal, but God’s Word will always be true.  Even if various laws are passed to encourage sinful behavior, and many turn away, only the truth of God will remain. Those who indulge and promote sinfulness will at some point pay a heavy price.  However, Jesus Christ died so that we wouldn’t have to pay that price.

Those who are in Christ must take a stand just as those who came before us did.  Jesus Christ bled on the cross for you and I, which means that if we participate in what the world deems to be good, then the cross of Christ becomes meaningless. Even those who are without Christ, you don’t have to perish because of your sin.  You can be redeemed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

All of humanity has an opportunity to receive salvation and redemption – but it is a conscious decision to forsake the things of the world to embrace Christ.  The world is continuing to decay, and perilous times will increase as we live in the last days. The many tragedies that we see daily, will continue to grow worse because of the rampant sinfulness that has stretched worldwide. However, for those of us who are in Christ, we must stand until the very end. The reward for standing firm, is eternal life, God being pleased with you, and the message of Jesus Christ being spread through you in what you say and how you live.