Stand

Why we stand
We stand because we belong to Christ. We have been bought with a price and everything we do should be as if we were doing it personally for Him. He has saved us for Himself. We should want to bring glory to our God.

Romans 14:[4] Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

We stand because we will be judged for our works for rewards. May we lay up in store a great treasure of abundance for eternity.

Romans 14:[10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Our stand or not standing impacts fellow believers. We should all desire to set an example to the lost AND to our brethren as a means of encouragement to them.

1Thessalonians 3:[8] For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

How we stand
We stand by our faith. When the world seems to be crumbling around us our faith can keep us standing.

2Corinthians 1:[24] Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

We are able to stand by putting on the whole armor of God. We draw strength by living the truth, righteousness and being prepared to give the gospel and having our faith as a defense against the devil. Ready to war with out salvation firmly fixed and the Word of God in our hand.

Ephesians 6:[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] 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.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Where we stand
The educational world may mock our faith and make light of God but we as Christians do not stand according to human wisdom but in God’s power. It is the power of God as presented through the preaching of the gospel that cleanses man from sin. It is the power of God that resurrects a man from death. It is the power of God that causes me to love the unlovable.

1Corinthians 2:[5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

We stand in the gospel. We know God saves by His grace through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. Not by our works or our goodness but by His mercy. It is the simplicity of the gospel which causes some to stumble but we Christians do not stumble but stand in it. It is what has made me a child of God and a citizen of New Jerusalem.

1Corinthians 15:[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

We stand in THE faith. Note “THE” in this verse. Faith in the New Testament not only means our acceptance of what God has said but also means a set of religious beliefs. There indeed is faith in God and there is also “THE” faith. We stand in the doctrines of the New Testament as given by the Holy Spirit to the Apostle Paul. Our faith determines where we stand. We have a set of doctrinal beliefs based upon the Word of God and therein we stand. Not compromising, firmly planted.

1Corinthians 16:[13] Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

We stand in liberty. Not being in bondage to the law of commandments but by the Spirit we serve God. Having been born again by the Spirit we experience the joy which only freedom can bring. Not freedom to sin but the freedom from sin. Those who walk in the Spirit have no need to fear the flesh but through the Spirit walk according to the will of God.

Galatians 5:[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

We stand in one spirit. In order to be standing with someone else and striving with someone else necessitates a joining. Those who would denigrate belonging to a church should take heed. Christians do not stand alone but stand together. The basic integral part of being in one mind is the having of one Bible.

Philippians 1:[27] Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Fast means close firmly affixed to. We stand fast in the Lord. Not in our job, financial circumstances, situations but in the Lord. More so than at any other time we need to stand as close to the Lord as possible. Not allowing the devil or the world to dissuade us from our faith. Circumstances change but our Lord is ever constant. (The same yesterday, today and forever.) The more the storms blow the closer we must cling to the Lord.
Philippians 4:[1] Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

We need to stand perfect and in the will of God. Many Christians waste time by trying to “find the will of God” for themselves. The Pauline epistles surely tell us the will of God for every Christian. Look up the references for the will of God. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you realize there are many ways in our personal life to do the will of God. Not some ephemeral “call” but the will of God for each of us. Get in line with the Word and when you have done this if God has a “special” call for you He will surely let you know.
We are to be “perfect” meaning mature or full gorwn. Not milk baby carnal Christians but one who has experienced God in our daily walk and has withstood the fires of trial and remained steadfast. One who has studied the Word and applied it in our lives.

Colossians 4:[12] Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.