Standing Firm in the Faith

In modern times, culture changes so quickly, but also in very big pendulum swings of what is right according to the narrative of the day.  This creates confusion and applies pressure of conformity from whoever's voice has the power at that time (Colossians 2:8; Matthew 24:24; 1 John 4:1).  Those who live life based on these views are changing so many things in their lives that it creates confusion on so many levels.  One of the many examples of this situation has people fighting for men to become women, if they so desire, yet complain about men who have become women competing in women's sports.  For many, even the definition of a woman has been lost so deep in the cultural shifts that they cannot define what a woman is when asked. 

Even though culture changes at the drop of a hat, God never changes (Malachi 3:6; Psalm 102:27; James 1:17).  Jesus never changes (Hebrews 13:8; Lamentations 3:22).  The Word of God never changes (Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 119:89; 1 Peter 1:25).  With the Trinity and the Bible never changing, why do so many Christians have their faith or views of faith change to conform to the world's system?  This is not the design God intended for His people to have when establishing His standards found in His Word (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:1-2; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthains 3:18).  God created a system of salvation through Jesus Christ, and Him only, that enables the followers of Christ to conform more to His image rather than the world's views (Philippians 2:5; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 119:9-11; Romans 6:23; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; John 14:6). 

A true Christian will change over time, but it will be to be more holy, more clean, and more like Jesus.  The world's system works to deceive Christians into believing God has the same views as the world, but this could not be further from the truth (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:2; James 4:4; John 15:18-19; Galatians 1:10; Colossians 2:8; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 2:12).  This displays the importance of standing firm in the faith to be immovable, steadfast, and abounding in the things of God (1 Corinthians 15:58; James 1:12; James 1:2-4; Psalm 112:7; 2 Peter 1:5-8; Isaiah 26:3; Colossians 1:23).  Even the Word of God states that Satan is the god of this world (1 John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2).  Notice he is a little "g", not the big "G".  Satan works so hard to get into the minds of those who follow Christ, because he knows this is the only manner in which he can obtain victory over them.  When Christians really stand firm in the faith and use the authority, the power, and the dominion given to them from God, they are more powerful than any spiritual enemy that could attack (Acts 1:8; 1 John 5:4-5; Ephesians 6:10; Romans 8:37; Luke 10:17; Mark 16:17; Matthew 10:1; Luke 10:19).  As one Drill Sergeant used to say in Basic Training, "It's all mind games, privates."  And that it is, when dealing with the spiritual enemy.  The mind game that the serpent played on Eve in the Garden of Eden reveals he knew even then how to get mankind's attention and change their views by distorting who God is and what He really desires for one's life (Genesis 3:1-13; Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 11:3; John 8:44; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Ephesians 5:6). 

Now, not only does he work on the minds of Christian believers, but uses those who are given to his doctrines to apply pressure on Christians to conform their views and lifestyle to what the current culture says is correct.  God is not the author of confusion, so this does not come from Him but from the spiritual enemy to break down a Christian's faith and eventually lead them to walk away from God, if not confronted with a steadfast faith (1 Corinthians 14:33).  No matter what the world says, stand firm in what the Word says.  As time continues to march on and the world keeps attempting to conform the faith of Christians to its standards, stand firm in the faith until the last breath is drawn or Jesus is met in the air.  Not only does your eternity depend on it, but the influence one has in the lives of others can make all the difference as well.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.