Steadfast For The Lord
Those that were early members of the church were
characterized by steadfastness. "And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
(Acts 2:42) Steadfast means firm or immovable. To be steadfast means "to
continue all the time; to persevere; or to be devoted to. Paul challenged the
brethren at Corinth by saying, "my beloved brethren,
be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in
vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58)
There may be many great needs in the
church but none is greater than the need for steadfastness Paul wrote to the
Colossians and said, "though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in
spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith
in Christ." (Colossians 2:5) Peter gave the following warning to brethren
concerning the danger of falling from their steadfastness. "You therefore,
beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your
own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked." (II Peter
3:17)
Let us observe the importance of
steadfastness:
Strong churches have
steadfast members. Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but
if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for
nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light
of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light
a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to
all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16) The
influence of the church can only be strong, as the members are steadfast. From
Acts 2:42 we observe that the early Christians were steadfast. "They continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of
bread, and in prayers." This caused others to look favorably upon God's
people. "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added
to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47) The challenge for
every Christian is to be steadfast.
Strong Christians are steadfast
members. Christians who fail to be steadfast fail to be what God
intended them to be. The member who is faithful a while and then unfaithful;
can be counted on for a while and then cannot be counted on; is dependable for
a while and then undependable is a poor example of Christianity. Instead of
being steadfast the Bible calls this man unstable. "He is a double-minded man,
unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8) Strong Christians are steadfast in
their service to God. "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found
faithful." (I Corinthians 4:2) The challenge for
every Christian is to be steadfast.
Strong Christians understand the
principle of being steadfast members. They realize that they are made
partakers of Christ only by being "steadfast unto the end." "For we have
become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence
steadfast to the end." (Hebrews 3:14) Christians must be firm in their faith;
set and settled in their convictions about Jesus the Christ. They must be
planted, fixed, strong, anchored and faithful in their relationship with the
Master. Those that are steadfast have "hope" as an anchor for the soul.
(Hebrews 6:19) The challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast.
Strong members recognize those
things that produce steadfastness. Christians must
recognize the contribution made to steadfastness
as we learn the truth. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free." (John 8:32) Christians must learn, know, perceive and understand
God's will. No one will be steadfast for long who does not have an
ever-deepening knowledge of God's word. Peter said, "grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now
and forever. Amen." (II Peter 3:18)
Attending "all" the services of the
church is another contributing factor in our steadfastness. In order to seek
God and His kingdom first we must be faithful at every service of the church.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) To seek God first means that we think
about, meditate on, crave, require and demand that the kingdom be first in our
lives. God and His kingdom must be first in rank or time or place in our heart
and life. Those who willfully forsake any assembly of the church are not
putting God first. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is
the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see
the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25) Why don't we have as many for Sunday
morning Bible classes, Sunday night or Wednesday night as we have for Sunday
morning worship?
Associating with strong Christians
helps develop personal steadfastness. Those with whom we associate pull us in
their direction. "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits." (I
Corinthians 15:33) Basement people pull others down; balcony people pull
others up. You can be strengthened by good men or corrupted by evil men. "He
who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be
destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)
Strong faith produces steadfast
Christians. The Bible says that Abraham was strong in faith. "He
staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith,
giving glory to God." (Romans 4:20) Christians must likewise be steadfast,
firm, and fixed in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "For I delivered
to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again
the third day according to the Scriptures." (I Corinthians 15:3-4)
Circumstances and situations of life must never shake our faith in the
glorious gospel of Christ. Our steadfastness stands on Jesus' resurrection.
Because He lives we can live also. Let us be unshaken in our hope of being
raised incorruptible and immortal. Our steadfastness must lead us to abound in
the work of the Lord. The challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast.
Find those things that contribute to
steadfastness to the Lord and grow in them. The Hebrew writer said, "For we
are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence
steadfast unto the end." (Hebrews 3:14) The
challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast.
Being a Christian is a serious
responsibility. Christianity involves your salvation. Your Christianity may
affect hundreds of others. To become a Christian, you must hear the gospel
(Romans 10:17), you must believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16), repent of every sin
(Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized to be
saved (I Peter 3:21). After baptism the challenge for every Christian is to be
steadfast.
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