GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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PAUL AND THE NEW BIRTH
by C. R. Stam


Pauline revelation leads us into glorious truths respecting both our position and experience as believers. Indeed, the new birth itself, as it takes place in the believer today, is directly related to the divine baptism by which Christ and the believer are made one.

How was Christ made one with man kind? He was baptized into the human race. He did not merely come to dwell with men. He became man. How? By being born into the race. Was this by natural birth? No, by supernatural birth. He was begotten of the Holy Spirit. But His baptism into the human race did not end with His birth and life on earth. So fully did He become one with man, that He even died man's death on the accursed tree. He was baptized into death (Luke 12:50) and, as we now know, into our death.

And it is there, at the Cross, that we become one with Him. The moment one looks in faith to Calvary, acknowledging: "He is no sinner; I am the sinner. Christ is dying my death"; that moment he becomes one with Christ; baptized into the crucified, risen Lord Himself (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:26,27) not only positionally, in the reckonings of God, but exponentially, by the Spirit. And thus a new life is begotten.

By natural birth? No, by supernatural birth. Some hold that the Epistles of Paul do not teach the new birth, but this is an error. His familiar word teknon, generally translated simply "child" in our English Bibles, means literally, "born one." And he uses this word with regard to our spiritual relationship to God.

Furthermore, the Apostle teaches the very truth of the new birth in Titus 3:5, where he says:

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost."

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A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST
By Pastor Dick Ware


Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 5: 17

In Ephesians 2:15, the Church which is the "Body of Christ," is called "one new man," and is a new creation. However, 2 Cor. 5:17 is not referring to the "Body of Christ," but to individuals who become members of it at salvation. The literal Greek is: "if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation." Ephesians 2:10 tells us, that being "created in Christ Jesus," we become God's workmanship. The day we get saved, that day becomes "the first day of the rest of our eternal life!"

Let us look at some of the "positional truths" of 2 Cor. 5:14-21: The whole human race died with Christ (vs. 14); Everyone has become a new creation "in Christ." The old life passed away, and God has given a new one (vs. 17); God has reconciled us to Himself (vs. 18 ); God has reconciled the world to Himself (vs. 19); God has committed to us a word and ministry of reconciliation (vrs. 18, 19); We are the ambassadors of Christ (vs. 20); and "in Christ", we "become the righteousness of God" (vs. 21)!

Let us notice the "practical side" of these "positional truths": We should view all members of the human race not according to the flesh, but as sinners for whom Christ died (vrs. 14-16); We should recognize that "in Christ", we are new creations, and there should be a clear division between our old way of life, and our new life in Christ (vs. 17); We have a responsibility as the ambassadors of Christ, to speak in His behalf  the message of reconciliation to Adam's race (vrs. 19, 20); the lost have a responsibility to receive God's reconciliation (vs. 20); and we should live our new life for Him who died for us and rose from the dead (vs. 15)!

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Good article and HOW one gets into Christ wherein he is a new creature is the key!

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Good article and HOW one gets into Christ wherein he is a new creature is the key!

I'm glad that you liked it. This is a good one to subscribe to.

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A BETTER HOPE
JEFF SEEKINS, Pastor,


Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7:19

Better is a comparative word and can hardly be used without comparing or contrasting that which is inferior. Such is the case in this record to the Hebrews. It constantly uses the word better in contrast. Thirteen of the nineteen uses of this word in the New Testament are in this sense.

Hebrews 7:18-19 KJV  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.  19  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Hebrews 7:18-19 NKJV  For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,  19  for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

To really see the contrasts used and find what is better, the context is essential. Though our assigned text is v. 19, the thought of the entire chapter is in view, and at least v. 18 must be considered to get the thought here. The NKJV and RSV both properly leave out the word "did" that is italicized in KJV. They also accurately translate using the words on the one hand to begin v.18, and on the other hand in v.19b to demonstrate the contrast between the law and this better hope. For not only was the law unable to produce such a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, (v.16), it also failed to bring the hope of making men nigh to God, (v.19). Being nigh is near, and speaks of a relationship with God. This can only come through righteousness. Though the law itself was righteous, it couldn't make men righteous as it brought condemnation to man because of his sinfulness. It couldn't perfect because it was weak in depending on the flesh, (Rom. 8:3).

So through contrast, the author pleads with the Hebrews through Hebrew illustrations to recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as the source of the better hope. He alone as the High Priest of the superior order brought the prospect of salvation through the offering of Himself, (v. 27). He alone provided access to God as Intercessor at God's right hand, (v. 25,26; 8:1). He alone is the Better and Only Hope.

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ABOUNDING IN HOPE
DICK WARE, Pastor,


Scripture Reading: Romans 15:13

To appreciate what the Apostle Paul is saying in our text, it will help to get a grasp of the book of Romans as a unit. The theme of Romans is "The Righteousness of God in Christ." This Righteousness is: needed by sinful man (1:18-3:20); provided by God's grace (3:21-26); received by faith alone (3:27-4:25); experienced in the soul (5:1-8:30); all-inclusive and permanent (8:31-39); rejected by the nation Israel (9-11); lived out in the believer's life (12:1-15:7); and proclaimed by the Body of Christ (15:8-16:27). Our verse (Romans 15:13) comes after the nation of Israel has rejected "The Righteousness of God in Christ."

The context of chapter 15:7 and following shows that even in God's dealing with Israel, it was God's desire "...that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy..." (15:9). The Gentiles were to rejoice "with His people" (15:10). However, with Israel rejecting Christ, the channel of blessing became "clogged up." The Gentile nations stood in the position of "having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). I heard a man once say: ''The saddest word in our vocabulary is 'hopeless'" He also said these words "there is no hope for those who enter here" ought to be hung over the gates of Hell.

In our context something tremendous is happening and is being proclaimed to the Gentiles through the Apostle Paul: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all Joy and peace in believing, that you may abound In hope - by the power of the Holy Spirit!" This message is going forth according to the message and the grace of God given to Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles (15:15,16). We now have our own hope in Christ! We are to rejoice in it, abound in it, and proclaim it by the power of the Holy Spirit!

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JUSTIFIED WITHOUT A CAUSE
by C. R. Stam


    God tells us in His Word that believers are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). The word "freely," here, does not mean "without cost," but "without cause." The same original word is so translated in John 15:25, where we find the words of Christ: "They hated Me without a cause."

Thus sinners hated Christ "without a cause," yet God justifies sinners "without a cause." How can this be? Let's see:

What had Christ done to earn the enmity of men? Nothing whatever. He had been kind and good, had helped those in distress, had healed their sick, had made the dumb to speak, the deaf to hear, the blind to see, and the lame to leap for joy. Why, then, did they hate Him: The Bible says they hated Him "without a cause, i.e., without any cause in Him. The cause of their hatred lay in their own evil hearts.

But on the other hand, what have sinners done to merit justification before God? Again the answer is: Nothing whatever. They have broken His commandments every day, lying, stealing, and committing hundreds of other sins. Yet in love God gave His Son to die for them on Calvary "that He might be just and [at the same time] the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26). He loves and justifies believers "without a cause", i.e., without any cause in them. The cause is to be found in His own compassionate heart, for "GOD IS LOVE."

Thus those who trust in Christ, who died for our sins, are justified without a cause, by God's grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

"God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8 ).

"By this man is preached...the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which He could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39).

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SOVEREIGN POWER
By Dick Johnson



ROMANS 9:21
Hath not the potter power over the clay,
of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?



Most believers will profess that God is omnipotent (all powerful--Revelation 1:8), omniscient (all knowing--Psalms 33:13-15), omnipresent (everywhere present--Psalms 139:7,8), and immutable (unchanging--James 1:17.) However, our walk, our worship, and our prayers often actually reveal our lack of understanding or disbelief of these sovereign attributes of God. Sometimes we behave as if God is not watching, or we worship God in a manner that glorifies us instead of Him, or we pray as if we can sway God's thinking one way or the other or even change His mind.

When God's sovereignty is examined, many believers go to great lengths to prove that God's sovereign power and will are limited, especially in the case of salvation. They conclude that our will controls our destiny because a loving God could not save some and not others by His own choosing. This attitude is rebuked in Romans 9:18-21 "Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth He yet find fault" For who hath resisted His will? Nay but, 0 man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why has thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?

God is sovereign in every respect. For a proper attitude of worship, we should accept by faith the full measure of His Sovereignty, and believe without doubt that God is using His almighty power to work out His plan that He established in eternity past.

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"THE WAY UP IS DOWN"
By M. Stanford


"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ"(Phil. 3:7).

"Whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it" (Lu.9:24). Once we learn this great paradox of the Lord, all will be gain,our good, and His glory.

" 'Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ' (Eph. 3:8 ). 'Unto me, who am less than the least.' In spiritual learning we take degrees downward, not upward. as in ordinary universities. It is a great temptation to those who serve to be arriving at something above the common standard, but God gives out His best work to 'less than the least.' His service wants depth, not height." --C.A.F.

"The test of genuine revelation is as to whether the one concerned is manifestly well crucified to a desire for power, position, influence.Can that one be resisted, assailed, thwarted, rejected, without in some form seeking to come out even or on top? An element of personal domination or self-vindication will spoil the outreach and discredit the servant. Oh, the peril of getting hold of Divine Truth in order to use it!" -T.A-S.

"We are wounded in order that we may learn from the great Physician how to bind up wounds and give aid. The Father visits us with trials in order to teach us to carry the burdens of others. We ourselves must first go to school before we can be teachers of others."

"Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you" (John 15:16).

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WHAT GOD IS DOING TODAY
by Russell S. Miller



"...For to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace" (Eph. 2:15).

It is a shame that so many in the Body of Christ do not see what it is that God is doing today, in this dispensation of His grace committed to Paul. The error of some is a failure to come unto perfection in the Pauline revelation, for they labor under the so-called Great Commission. Others go to extremes with agendas that are used of the devil to cause "divisions" in the Church and "blind [even] the minds" (II Cor. 4:4) of believers from knowing the truth. Consequently such teachings are used by Satan to deceive both saint and sinner alike. Thus men walk in darkness. When lies are substituted for truth, the devil gets a foothold in the Church to wreak "havoc".

God, however, will not be mocked of men, for "the Judgment Seat of Christ" (II Cor. 5:10) awaits those who make merchandise of "the Word of God" (II Cor. 2:14-17; Titus 3:10) and there shall be a great loss of rewards (I Cor. 3:15). And when the devil "blinds the minds of them that believe not", souls that could have been saved will be cast into hell and the Lake of Fire at the "great white throne" judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).

In this endeavor to discover what it is that God is doing today, several passages of Scripture come to mind. Along with Romans 16:25 and I Corinthians 12:13 are two very similar verses in Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians:

"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace" (Eph. 2:15).

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3:9).

God is in the business of building the Body of Christ today, and He is looking for "faithful" men and women in the ministry of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (I Cor. 4:1,2). He appointed Paul, "the Apostle of the Gentiles" (Rom. 11:13), giving him the blueprints (I Cor .3:9-15) for the Church today. Paul and Timothy were faithful in proclaiming "this Mystery among the Gentiles" (I Cor. 4:15-17). Will you "follow" in their footsteps or be drawn into an extreme teaching?

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FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE
by C. R. Stam




    "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love" (I Cor. 13:13).

St. Paul had been discussing, in I Cor. 13, some of the miraculous signs that were to vanish away as  God's revelation became complete. But faith, hope and love, he declared, would abide as a triune evidence of true Christianity.

These three are all we need in the present "dispensation of the grace of God." Any church where faith, hope and love are found in abundant measure is a "full" church. It may have but a few members, but what greater blessing could it wish for than faith, hope and love in its fellowship?

Faith, hope and love are a trinity often referred to in St.Paul's epistles. Each is of basic importance in its way, and none can exist without the other two.

Faith is of primary importance. "Without faith it is impossible to please [God]" (Heb 11:6), and how can there be hope and love without faith?

Hope holds the central place among the three. Hope in the Bible is more than a wish; it is the opposite of despair, an eager anticipation of blessings to come. Hope is the Christian's experience, his living with eternity's glory in view.

Love is the crowning virtue of the three; it is the fruit of faith and hope, and is greatest in the sense that it is "the bond of perfectness." Moreover, love is eternal. Some day, for every true believer, "faith will vanish into sight; hope be emptied in delight" and love will reign supreme.

May God help us, in our fellowship with each other, to evidence a full measure of faith, hope and love.

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The Hope of Our Calling
By Jim Roberts

The Apostle Paul wrote to Titus whom God had called as a pastor over the Church which is the Body of Christ. In Chapter 2 Paul said:

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you." (Titus 2:11-15)

Paul was reminding Titus that the hope of Abraham had passed away. No longer were believers to look for the heavenly city of God to come down to the earth (Hebrews 11:16), but believers were to rejoice in the hope of their calling, namely, the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. Paul taught the believers at Colosse that:

"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)

Paul explained to Titus that all believers today share this same hope for the grace of God has now appeared to all men. However, Paul knew that this message had to be taught with zeal for it was a new message. The program for the Church had been kept as a secret in the heart and mind of God since before the creation itself. Therefore, Paul told Titus to "speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority." Paul told the Ephesians about this great hope and was very concerned that they understand the importance of the message. He prayed:

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." (Ephesians 1:17-18 )

In Ephesians 1:14, Paul referred to the catching up of the Church, the Body of Christ, as the redemption of Christ's purchased possession.

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)

According to Ephesians 1:7, we already have spiritual redemption through His blood, but we are waiting for the redemption of our bodies which will occur at the appearing of the Lord and the rapture of the Church.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

The Church which is the Body of Christ is the purchased possession which is now waiting for its final redemption. In the mean time, we live on this earth learning how to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, all to the praise of the glory of His grace.

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Conduct Worthy of the Gospel
(Part 1 of 4)
By Gregg Bing



The saints at Philippi were well acquainted with the concept of citizenship. Philippi, named for Philip of Macedon, Alexander the Great's father, was made a Roman colony by Caesar Augustus around 42 B.C. Roman citizenship was a valuable possession. Some, such as the Apostle Paul, were fortunate enough to be born Roman citizens; others paid large sums of money to purchase this valuable title (Acts 22:28 ). Roman citizenship entitled a person to specific rights and privileges that non-citizens could not claim. For example, after being wrongfully imprisoned in Philippi, Paul announced he was a Roman citizen. Upon hearing this, the city magistrates, were afraid, for they knew they had violated his rights (Acts 16:37-38 ).

In his letter to these Philippian saints, Paul makes use of their familiarity with the concept of Roman citizenship to teach them an important spiritual truth.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (Phil. 3:20-21)

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, our citizenship is in heaven. The Philippians, though over 600 miles from Rome, still enjoyed all the privileges of Roman citizenship. As believers we, too, enjoy all the wonderful privileges of our heavenly citizenship, though we presently live here on the earth. This world is not our home; heaven is. We are merely strangers and pilgrims here on earth, living for and serving the Lord as His "ambassadors" (2 Cor. 5:20) until He comes to take us home to be with Him. The opportunity to be an "ambassador for Christ" is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility.

An ambassador is sent to represent someone else. In our case, we are here on earth to represent our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here to serve Him in "the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18 ); to share His message with the world, "the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19); to implore people, on His behalf, to "be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). As ambassadors, our words are very important, for we are presenting the truth of Christ to others, but our conduct, our behavior, is equally important. Paul addresses the issue of our "conduct" as heavenly citizens in the opening chapter of Philippians.

"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me." (Phil. 1:27-30)

The word "conduct" ("conversation" in the KJV) is the Greek word "politeuo" from which we get our English words: politics, political, police, and the suffix -polis (i.e. metropolis, Indianapolis, etc.). The word means "to be a citizen" or "to live as a citizen." Wuest, in his Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, says it refers to "the duties devolving upon a man as a member of a body" (i.e. as a citizen).

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Conduct Worthy of the Gospel
(Part 2 of 4)
By Gregg Bing


Our conduct here on earth should be proper or fitting for heavenly citizens, but how do we measure what is proper? Paul says that our conduct is to be "worthy of the gospel." The word "worthy" is the Greek word "axios." You can readily see the English words that derive from this word: axis, axiom, axle, etc. Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament defines the word as: "weighing, having weight, having the weight of (weighing as much as) another thing, of like value, worth as much." The picture we get is that of a scale that measures by placing items of equal weight on each side. As heavenly citizens, our conduct should have equal weight or value as "the gospel." That is, our conduct should be fitting and proper in relation to the wonderful "gospel" message that has been entrusted to us by our Lord (1 Thess 2:4). What a glorious privilege is ours! Yet, what a tremendous responsibility is laid upon us!

How can our conduct be "worthy" or balance with the gospel? Consider the following three facts. First, our gospel is "the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16); the "good news" that Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose again (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Just as the focus of our message is Jesus Christ, so the focus of our conduct should be as well. Paul told the Philippians, "to me, to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). Paul's whole purpose for living was Jesus Christ; that He might be given the pre-eminence in Paul's life (Col. 1:18 ). Paul instructed the Colossian saints to "walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him" (Col. 1:10). Conduct worthy of the gospel is conduct that glorifies and honors the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to please Him in all things.

Second, our gospel is "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24); the "good news" is that "by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9). Colossians 2:6 tells us,

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him."

We received Christ Jesus all because of God's grace. Our salvation was "not of ourselves" and "not of works," there is therefore nothing for us to glory in; it was a wonderful gift from God. Conduct worthy of the gospel is conduct that is dependent upon the grace of God for all our needs (2 Cor. 9:8 ); conduct that, therefore, gives God all the glory and boasts only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 6:14).

Third, our gospel is a message of faith. Paul speaks in this very verse (Phil. 1:27) of "the faith of the gospel." Salvation comes through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross for our sins. We trust in Him and Him alone. We rely upon Him and His faithfulness toward us. This is true in regard to our salvation, but it should also be true in regard to our daily walk, or behavior. Conduct worthy of the gospel is conduct lived by the faith of the Son of God and by our faith in Him (Gal. 2:20); conduct that trusts in Him in all situations (Prov. 3:5-6).

How important is this admonition to let our conduct be "worthy of the gospel?" Paul prefixes this admonition with the word "only," a word that emphasizes that as believers, our "only" concern, the single focus of our lives, should be that our conduct is "worthy of the gospel." Is this true in your life? I encourage you to carefully examine your own heart and life and answer this question honestly, and then seek to ensure that your conduct is, indeed, "worthy of the gospel" each and every day.

Next month we will look at three specific areas of the believer's conduct that Paul was concerned with as mentioned in verses 27-30.

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Conduct Worthy of the Gospel
(Part 3 of 4)
By Gregg Bing



"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me." (Phil. 1:27-30)

As believers in Christ, we are declared to be heavenly citizens (Phil. 3:20-21). While this citizenship affords us wonderful rights and privileges, it also carries with it great responsibility as well. Though citizens of heaven, we are left here on earth by God as "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20). We have been entrusted with the Word and ministry of reconciliation, imploring the lost to be reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is important that we conduct ourselves in a manner fitting that of heavenly citizens. Paul admonishes us, "Only let your conduct (i.e. as citizens) be worthy of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27).

We looked last month at the fact that the measure of "proper" conduct is the gospel of Christ. Our conduct is to be "worthy" of the gospel, or, more literally, to "balance" or have equal weight as this wonderful gospel message entrusted to us; a gospel message that focuses on the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross of Calvary; a gospel message that is based on the grace of God; a gospel message that is received by faith in God.

In this lesson, we want to look at three specific areas of the believer's conduct that Paul stresses in Philippians 1:27-30.

Stand Fast in One Spirit

As believers it is important that we "stand fast." The expression means to take a firm stand and then to keep one's standing, to persist, to be unmoved. What are we to stand firm for, and why is it such an important part of our conduct? Paul admonished the Galatian believers to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free" (Gal. 5:1). These saints had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, been saved by God's grace, and been freed from the law, the "yoke of bondage" which held them in sin and death. Yet, they were allowing false teachers to turn them away from this wonderful freedom to a system of religious and legal works (Gal. 1:6-9). We see the same types of false teachers today, seeking to keep men under the bondage of one legal system or another, teaching that men must do "good works" to be saved. Thus, a vital part of our conduct as heavenly citizens, is to stand fast in the grace of God that saved us.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers and encouraged them to "stand fast in the faith" (1 Cor. 16:13). The Corinthians were a spiritually immature group of believers (1 Cor. 3:1-3). As a result, they were carnal (fleshly minded), and their church was beset with a number of serious problems: envy, strife, division, sexual immorality, marriage problems, etc. The solution to all these problems is found in God's Word. This is why Paul instructed them to "stand fast in the faith." The expression "the faith" refers to the truth of God's Word which they had believed. Once we are saved, we need to grow, and spiritual growth comes through reading, studying, and living God's Word. The Corinthians did not hold firm to the truth of the Word, and so they did not grow spiritually. Sadly, this is a problem in many churches and in the lives of more and more believers today. Paul warned Timothy that this would be the case. "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1). "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Paul experienced this in his own life and ministry. "This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes" (2 Tim. 1:15). It's possible they turned away from him because he was in prison, but more likely, they turned away from him because of the message he was then proclaiming, the truth of the mystery that God had entrusted to him for this present age of grace (2 Tim. 1:13-14, Eph. 3:1-9). How we need believers today who will take a faithful stand for the truth of God's Word, particularly for the truth of the mystery committed to Paul. Paul instructed Timothy of the need to "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:14).

Paul stressed that these believers in Philippi were to "stand fast in one spirit." It was not just as individuals that they were to stand fast, but as a local church as well. Certainly they were to take their stand in the power of the Holy Spirit, but they were each to have the same spirit, the same spiritual resolve in their stand for the Lord. A local church that takes a firm stand for the Lord, for the truth of His Word, and for the wonderful message of God's grace is one that can truly be used of God to reach people for Christ and to enable believers to grow and mature in the things of the Lord.