STAND FAST IN THE LORD

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

The word therefore implies that Paul's teaching that follows sums up, or is a closing to, the remarks he has just previously made. In the previous chapter, Paul wrote that the world, and even the church of Christ itself, is made up of two distinct bodies of people. One body is followers of false preachers and teachers that Paul refers to as the enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3:18). These place their citizenship in the world and are motivated by worldly fame, and fortune, and covetous desires. He says of the other body has their conversation (NKJV - citizenship) is in heaven (Vs. 20). This body of people is motivated by the hope of eternal salvation in heaven. They display their devotion to God and His Son, Jesus Christ, by demonstrating their love for the spiritual and physical well being of other people around them. They love God and their neighbor in obedience to the two great commandments given by our Savior (Matt. 22:37-40).

Notice how Paul's love and affection for the Christians at Philippi had completely changed from the hatred and abhorrence he previously had for members of the body of Christ, before he was converted. On the road to Damascus, Paul had letters from Jewish high priests authorizing him to threaten and persecute members of the church of Christ that was located in that city - to bring them bound unto Jerusalem (See Acts 9:1-2). Of Christians, Paul said, and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities (Acts 26:10-11). At thats time in the life of Paul, there was a great persecution against the church to the extent that he gave his approval to the execution of Stephen, a disciple and preacher of the gospel of Christ. Paul also, made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committing them to prison (See Acts 7:59-8:3). It could definitely be said at that time in his life, Paul would be classified as one of the enemies of the cross of Christ.

However, after his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul was baptized into the body of Christ, became His follower, and placed his citizenship in heaven. It was then that his eyes were fixed on the spiritual blessings of heaven rather the temporal things of the earth. Members of the church of Christ became Paul's brethren. The body of saints, like those he had previously persecuted, he now referred to as dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown. The deep love and devotion Paul had for fellow Christians, he recommended to the church at Philippi, and to the saints of all ages - to be thus minded, walking by the same rule, minding the same thing (See Col. 3:15-16). The same change that took place in Paul should take place in all Christians, yea, they must take place, if the hope of heaven is ever to be attained.

Recognizing the members of the church at Philippi as Christians, who were devoted to the cause of Christ, Paul admonishes them to be strong children of God; to remain unmovable; to become rigidly fixed and firmly rooted in their obedience to God's will. All of these expressions describe his teaching when Paul told them to stand fast in the Lord: to become steadfast, firm, fixed, settled, established, and constant, without wavering. How can this be done? Paul wrote this in his letter to the church at Ephesus. (M)y brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph. 6:10-13).

All Christians are warned in these messages to stand fast in the Lord. The fact that Christians need defensive armor in order to withstand the enemies of God and our Savior, tells us that eternal salvation in Jesus is not assured to all that are baptized into the body of Christ. Once a Christian, we must remain obedient Christians in order to inherit eternal salvation. This same warning was given the Christians at Philippi when Paul wrote that they were to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God (Phil. 1:27b-28). Christians, heed Paul's message of warning: Stand Fast in the Lord!