12) Phil 3:16 Keep doing what you know to do: This is such an important idea. Far too often we are guilty of looking for the newest fad and sensationalistic idea in our walk. Believers search out new teachings and conferences like bees trying to pollenate flowers. One week they are here; the next there. One of the most important concepts for standing firm in the Lord can be summed up in one word: Faithfulness. Are we being faithful to what we've already been entrusted with? "I want something new and attractive." Are you obeying what He's already asked you to do? The danger with always searching for new "words" and "teaching" is that we waste invaluable energy that should be invested in doing what we already know to do. Please don't get me wrong, I like hearing other minister's ideas and thoughts. It can be thought-provoking, challenging, and inspiring, but at the end of the day I'm not responsible for that word; I'm responsible for the one already given to me- the direction that the Lord has already showed me. As such, the challenge is to live up to what we've already attained in the our walk of faith.
As a friend used to say, "we have to keep on keeping on if we want to keep on keeping on in our faith." For me that looks like simple obedience. What has He asked me to do? Where is the Spirit leading me? Have I been in the Word? Have I been consistent to love the people around me? Am I walking in the grace already given me? These are the most important questions in this area. Remember that God doesn't despise the day of small beginnings; rather, He honors those who are faithful in the little by giving them more. Do you want more? More grace? More anointing? More insight? More direction? Then, be faithful right now, right where you are!
13)Phil 3:20 Develop a heavenly perspective: Paul concludes chapter 3 with one of the most beautiful thoughts ever--the power of perspective. If we are going to people who stand firm in the 21st century then we must be people who stand with an eternal perspective on life. It's critical. Paul contrasts those who have their minds fixed on earthly things with those who know where their real reward, identity, and calling lies--heaven. The story is told of Jonathan Edwards one of the primary leaders of the 1st Great Awakening in the US. He carried some stones in his pocket everywhere he went. Someone once asked him about it. His reply connected the dots with this idea of living with eternity in sight. He said that the rocks were a reminder to him of the judgment when each believers work will be tested by fire (I Cor. 3). He didn't want his life to be reduced to a pile rocks on the final day; he desired his life to produce gold, silver, and precious stones. For this reason he preached every time as if it would be his last time. He lived with life with an awareness that these brief moments are but a dressing room for eternity determining what rewards will await us on the other side. I've never met a believer who has eternity in perspective who is backsliding and giving up their secure position of standing firm.
By contrast, I've met many people who get side-tracked with earthly pursuits who have walked away from the faith. The pull for authority and power, the desire for fame and reputation, the love of all things financial, a desire for the quick and expedient, the lusts of the flesh, the sucking force of worry and anxiety, etc.. All such things are distractions from the great desire imbedded in every human soul- eternity. We must all stand before the judgement seat of Christ one day. There is no intermediate stage between this life and that moment. We all only get one dash between the day we are born and the day we die. What we do between those two dates determines everything. The great English Cricketer CT Studd, a national sports legend in his day, abandoned the so called good life because of this realization and moved to China as a missionary. He wrote a poem based on a little booklet that shook his soul while still playing cricket. The refrain says, "One life will soon be past; Only what's done for Christ will last." Show me a person living their life with a Christ-consciousness, keeping the inward eye of the soul on eternity, and an awareness of their final reward, and I will show you someone who is standing firm in the 21st century. They are eagerly waiting for Christ to return and the glorious transformation of our physical bodies that will take place when we are reunited with him in person (see last verse).
Practically speaking, one of my favorite things to do is listen to songs about heaven and read passages from the word that talk about heaven. This isn't so that I can have some kind of escapist mindset from reality. Rather, this is because I so eagerly desire to impact my current realities with the weight and force of heaven. Remember how Jesus taught us to pray, "Let your kingdom come and your will be done." Where? "On earth" In what manner? "As it is in heaven!" Only heavenly minded people can bring heaven's realities to earth.
I conclude this mini-series by encouraging each of you with this though. You were born to stand firm in the 21st century. It is possible. And it is not only possible for you, but as you do, your example will challenge and inspire those around you to also stand firm in their faith.
If you desire more thoughts on how to stand firm, I would suggest Ephesians 6. It is loaded with more ideas, especially the last 15 verses or so. It's details the necessity of putting on the full armor in order to stand firm. Possibly another discussion for another day.
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