By Rhonda Stinson
This past week our church hosted a conference for pastors, missionaries, and their families. It was three
full days of preaching, singing, and eating. This time is designed for ministers of Christ to be filled and
refreshed. When a spiritual leader is constantly pouring into others, they reach a point where they need a time of being poured into.
The topic: Steadfast.
The point: Christians being steadfast, or immovable, in a worldly culture.
When I look at the world around me, I cannot believe it’s the same one that I grew up in. On every side
there are things such as contention, unrest, fear, doubt, hatred, maliciousness, and envy. And media only aids in advancing these issues.
It’s not like any of this is new. There are many biblical examples of this, such as when Nero and others hung Christians from street lamp posts and set on fire to burn to death.
Many of Jesus’ disciples suffered extreme persecution for living for Christ. Even when they were told to stop sharing the gospel they continued. This is the meaning of steadfast to the Christian: remaining in the work of the Lord no matter what.
Let me give you an illustration in relation to a game of football. The front seven players, consisting of
defensive linemen and linebackers, act as a wall of defense against the offense. These men are tough and can withstand heavy hits. They’re aware they might be knocked to the ground or even injured, but despite this awareness, they firmly stand their ground.
Satan knows that it is quite easy to knock down a Christ follower. How many of you have received praise
and encouragement for something you’ve done? Maybe you had ten people praise you, but then one lone soul comes along and delivers a discouraging word, and that’s what you remember. That one discouraging word can be fatal.
“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58b).
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
If you are a Christian, you will experience persecution. Sadly, in today’s culture, many sinful things are being accepted as normal, supported and advanced by believers as well as non-believers. Are you prepared to stand against the impending blows of Satan?
Here are some tips to help you remain steadfast:
- Put on the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-13 tells us that this is the spiritual armor that we need to stand against spiritual powers. Know that the attacks are coming from Satan and his demons, not from a person.
- Surround yourself with Christians. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Give thanks. Paul is a perfect example of rejoicing and giving thanks to God even in suffering.
Though he was imprisoned for sharing the gospel, he didn’t quit. He remained steadfast, and
because of this, many were saved. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
- Remember your Savior. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for
you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Christ didn’t retaliate against His offenders, He loved them to the point of death.
- Look forward. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Your steadfast work for the Lord will reap eternal rewards in heaven. Our time on earth is temporary, suffering and persecution are temporary, hope is temporary. When we enter heaven, we will no longer have a need to remain steadfast nor will we need to have hope. This will be the point of consummation when everything in God’s Word will be complete.
What a glorious day that will be!
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