Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
The Apostle Paul was talking about never again being entangled in the bondage of the law, yet there is much that could be said about this verse of Scripture. Whether we come from a religious background or not, if we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives, then we have been set free. The Apostle Paul said that we had to stand firm, therefore, in the freedom with which Christ made us free. He said this in the past tense. Freedom has been purchased for us. We have been made free. If you are a Christian and do not consider yourself free, then ask yourself this question. Am I standing firm in what Christ has purchased for me? Am I boldly claiming my right to freedom in Christ Jesus? The Word of God says here that we have been made free. This is a fait accompli, however, as I like to point out, we do have a part to play in this. He told us to do something. He told us to stand firm.
I have found through the years that there have been times when I thought I had done what God’s Word told me to do, and yet I wasn’t always seeing what I thought God’s results should be. These days I only know how to do one thing. I go before the Lord and seek wisdom. Without fail, God will give his wisdom to those who truly seek it. His Word declares that He will give wisdom generously.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
When we truly have the wisdom and illumination of God’s Word to defend us and we refuse to move, all the demons of hell cannot move us. We have to stand firm on this freedom. Christ truly has set us free. This sounds so simple, but God’s Word will not fail us. It can never fail! Christians who say they tried this and it didn’t work are really saying that God’s Word tried them and they failed, because surely under no circumstances will God’s Word fail. You can not pass
We have to realize that if there is a failure it is we who fail the Word of God. If we are not successful, then we must face where the failure is.
I realize this sounds harsh and it’s not my purpose here to condemn anyone, but if we ever want to grow, we have to learn from our mistakes and move on. Sometimes these lessons are hard, but the body of Christ must come to this place, time is too short for anything else. Jesus is coming soon, and he is looking for a spotless bride, this does not mean that we are perfect but that we have a mature attitude and always willing to learn. With this kind of attitude we will continue to grow. When we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, when we keep our eyes on Him and not on circumstances, we will grow from faith to faith and to faith.
Many have taken the right steps to learn the truth of God’s Word and have seen the reality of His Word and then backed down when the pressure has mounted. I can assure you of this, you will be pressured to give up your position on God’s Word. Satan will make sure of it. This is persecution.
We must encourage ourselves to do as the Word of God says and we will see that there are final results that are for our benefit.
2 Timothy 3:10-17. But you have carefully followed my doctrine, lifestyle, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, what happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra, how many persecutions I endured. And of all of them the Lord gave me. Yes, and all who wish to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But bad men and impostors will go from bad to worse, cheating and being cheated. But you, continue in what you have learned and been persuaded, knowing from whom you have learned it, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God, and useful to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfect, fully equipped for every good work.
The end result will be that we will be fully equipped to do all good work. We don’t start this way, we end this way when we stand firm and walk as God’s Word tells us to walk. This is so that we can be complete, which means that we lack nothing and are equipped to do what God has called us to do. The Apostle Paul didn’t start out that way either, but he was tenacious and demonstrated the fidelity of God’s Word. The Lord never failed him in spite of what he faced, and he faced much more than most of us could say we have faced or will face because of the Gospel.
As we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will find that trials that seem so difficult today will be much easier next time. What seemed like an alligator snapping at us will be nothing more than a nuisance as we develop our faith in God’s Word. This does not mean that the tests will be a piece of cake, but we can be sure that the test of our faith develops the resistance and the ability to resist when others around us seem to be failing. We will be there to support others as we learn to walk patiently and not back down in our time of trial. Paul got to the point where he had great joy over these trials and tribulations.
Romans 5:3-6. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Now, hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For Christ, while we were yet weak, at his time died for the ungodly.
James also said something similar.
James 1:2-4. Count it all joy, my brethren, when you find yourself in various trials, knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience. But be patient with his perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, without lacking anything.
We see that Paul endured much because of his position in the Gospel, yet he was delivered from every situation that came against him. He didn’t back down when the going got tough.
He stood his ground. We have to remember that we are not alone in this. We are not here helpless and inundated by our own power. God is on our side.
If we are doing what God has told us to do and not just doing our thing, we will have the right to say as the Apostle Paul said if God is for us, who can be against us.
Romans 8:31. What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
In other words, it doesn’t matter what the enemy throws at us. We have been given the ability to stand up under any circumstance. The more we are on our feet, the more confidence we will develop in our Lord and His Word. This is something we have to develop. It takes time to develop this kind of confidence, but I encourage you to keep going and your confidence will continue to grow. As you do, you will see that the Word of God is faithful and true. It is in this steadfastness that you will prove God’s faithfulness and His Word.
His Word declares that He honors His Word above His name, this means that His Word is backed by His full power. We have to get this revelation if we are going to grow and be steadfast in Him.
Edmund Burke said that “the only time evil triumphs is when the godly do nothing.”
I could paraphrase it a bit and say it like this, when Christians do nothing, evil triumphs. So like everything else in life we have to make the decision to act. If we don’t, we have already lost to evil.
I truly believe that the evil that pervades much of the Word is a direct result of Christians not doing their jobs. We all have a job to do, and that job is to declare the Word of God but also stand firm in it. God has given his church great authority, but if we don’t know we have this authority or we won’t walk in what we’ve been given, how are we going to be the victorious church God’s Word says we are? ? I have had this on my heart for a long time and I am not pointing fingers at anyone, just trying to encourage Christians in all walks of life to start seeking God and find their rightful place in the kingdom of God. Don’t let our county be taken over by a generation that doesn’t know or want to know God. I don’t want this to be my inheritance, do you?
We have to be constant in what we do. We must be firm in our walk of faith and firm in our love for our brothers. Let me repeat the words of the Apostle Paul — But you have carefully followed my doctrine, lifestyle, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions.
These things are truly the building blocks of the character of a man or woman of God who lacks nothing good and who will not fall when the storms of life come their way.
Amen
Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you want to be a joint heir with Christ?
If so, I would like to invite you to come to Him, the first step is to earnestly pray the following prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says: “…and whoever comes to me, I will not cast out.” (John 6:37),
So I know that you will not cast me out, but you will take me in, and I thank you. You said in your Word: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
I call on your name, so now I know that you have saved me, you also said: “…that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved, because with the heart one believes in justice, but with the mouth one confesses for salvation.” (Romans 10:9,10).
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that he rose from the dead for my justification. And I confess it now as my Lord, Because Your Word says: “… with the heart believes in righteousness…” and I believe with the heart, now I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21),
And I am saved! Thank my Lord!
Now I can truly say that I see myself as a born again child of God!
Glory to God!!!! Amen.
