Freedom Calls

As children of the one true God, saved by the precious gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we are reminded by the apostle Paul to be on our guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, and be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). In a world that often seeks to undermine our faith and challenge our resolve, it is imperative that we stand firm on the rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ.

The Call to Vigilance

In his sermon “The Christian’s Great Enemy,” Charles Spurgeon exhorts believers to be vigilant, stating, “We are not to be off our guard for a single moment, for the enemy is always lurking, seeking to do us harm” (Spurgeon, 1855). This warning is echoed in 1 Peter 5:8, which reminds us that “our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” As Christians, we must be aware of the spiritual battles that rage around us and stand firm in our faith, refusing to give in to the enemy’s schemes.

The Importance of Doctrine

AW Tozer, in his book “The Pursuit of God,” emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine in standing firm in the faith: “What we believe about God is the most important thing about us…Our doctrine is the foundation upon which our entire spiritual life is built” (Tozer, 1948). In 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Paul exhorts Timothy to “hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” As believers, we must be grounded in the truth of God’s Word, refusing to compromise on the essential doctrines of our faith.

The Power of Love

In his book “Mere Christianity,” CS Lewis reminds us that our faith is not just about intellectual assent, but about a living, vibrant relationship with God: “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us” (Lewis, 1952). This love is the foundation of our faith, and it is what motivates us to stand firm in the face of adversity. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Do everything in love.” Our actions, our words, and our very lives must be characterized by the love of Christ, which is the greatest evidence of our faith.

The Necessity of Courage

Watchman Nee, in his book “The Normal Christian Life,” emphasizes the need for courage in standing firm in the faith: “The Christian life is not a life of ease, but a life of conflict…We must be brave, or we will be defeated” (Nee, 1957). In Joshua 1:6-9, God exhorts Joshua to be strong and courageous, promising to be with him wherever he goes. As believers, we must draw on the courage that comes from knowing God is with us, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

The Urgency of Evangelism

DL Moody, in his sermon “The Value of a Soul,” reminds us that our faith is not just about our own personal salvation, but about sharing the good news with others: “The greatest tragedy in the world is not that men are wicked, but that they are ignorant of the Gospel” (Moody, 1877). In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul writes, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” As believers, we must be compelled by the love of Christ to share the Gospel with a lost and dying world.

As we stand firm in the faith, we must remember that our strength comes not from ourselves, but from God. We must be vigilant, grounded in sound doctrine, motivated by love, courageous in the face of adversity, and compelled to share the Gospel with others. May we heed the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, and may our lives be characterized by the love and courage that come from knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

References:

Lewis, CS (1952). Mere Christianity.

Moody, DL (1877). The Value of a Soul.

Nee, Watchman (1957). The Normal Christian Life.

Spurgeon, Charles (1855). The Christian’s Great Enemy.

Tozer, AW (1948). The Pursuit of God.