In a natural way of thinking, it might sound a bit unusual to stand on something that isn’t man-made or tangible. We’re used to standing on floors, ladders, or other surfaces, but to stand spiritually is a commitment that takes on new meaning. Ephesians 1:3 tells us that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with all spiritual blessings because of our union with Christ. Now that we have all these spiritual blessings, we have to use them, and the way that we do this is to stand in them. Standing in them requires that we have a mind and heart that is fully persuaded in what God has provided. We can’t see all His spiritual provision with physical eyes; therefore, we must stand in and on them by faith as assuredly as we would the floor beneath us. By faith, we can stand firm and live according to all that our Heavenly Father says we have. We can use the spiritual blessings He has provided to uplift His Kingdom and have a victorious life while we’re here on earth.
In everyday life, we plant our feet on whatever we plan to stand on without hesitation. We don’t even think about it. We have confidence that we won’t fall through the floor or fall over. We get up each morning and go about our business having full faith that wherever our feet land and whatever they are standing on will be sufficient to hold our weight and then some. God has given us spiritual blessings like peace, joy, patience, kindness, generosity, goodness, gentleness, authority, power, love, and self-control. We should have faith in these more than we do the floor beneath our feet, because buildings decay and fall apart, but God’s spiritual blessings are infallible; they cannot fail.
The spiritual blessings and gifts that God has given us represent attributes of His nature. Therefore, they allow us, His children, to walk with Holy Spirit power, and do so with complete confidence. Even though they are invisible, they are in us through God’s Spirit, and in Galatians 5:25(ESV), He tells us that “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” We are to live and do everything with a heart and mind that are saturated with God’s spiritual nature. This is pleasing to Him, and it helps us live a rich and satisfying life as well.
We must be tenacious about what our Heavenly Father has promised and provided, because His Word is true, and it never fails. We have a spiritual enemy, the devil, and his aim is steal our blessings, but our faith is a shield. God tells us in Ephesians 6:16(NLT), “In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” Our Heavenly Father has already provided fail-proof spiritual weaponry. Our responsibility is to use what He has provided. When we do, wherever we go, whatever we do, and whatever comes our way, we can stand firm in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, because he is a foundation that will not fail us.
The visual of what it looks like to stand firm is one where we follow his example continually. This will always lead us to victory. Contrary to what many would have us to believe, we will never be in a bad, poor, or defeated position when we stand in our faith in Jesus Christ, and we turn the other cheek, or do the right thing when everyone else is doing the opposite. Sometimes, we might feel as though we’re doing our very best to be a good person, and everyone is conspiring against us. It can seem as though we never catch a break, but God is faithful. He sees our commitment, and He will reward us as we continue to stand firm in faith.
Colossians 2:7(NLT) tells us, "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Whatever comes; rain, storms, and strong winds, a life that is built on Jesus Christ will not be shaken. This is so important for us to understand and believe, because life on earth is rocky terrain. It is filled with incredible highs and devastating lows. During our lows, we might feel shaky because it’s very uncomfortable. Life seems unstable, and we might be tempted to be overly anxious and allow our minds and hearts to sink, but God offers us a better solution through Christ. He wants us to exercise our faith muscle and stand firm no matter the condition or circumstances.
Romans 5:3-5(NLT) provides the wisdom that positions us to handle obstacles and adversity in life. It tells us, "3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” On earth, we will have tribulation and troubles, and God did not keep this a secret, but we are not to be afraid, because Jesus is with us. If we continue to stand strong in faith, the victory that Christ won for us will manifest in our lives.
Our Great Redeemer told the disciples in John 16:33(NLT). “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Our perfect Savior is our strong, magnificent, and infallible foundation. Because of this, our difficulties do not overcome us; we overcome them. They help us develop endurance, and endurance is something that God requires of all His kids. He also requires strength of character, because both of these prove that we are who He says we are. His Word tells us in Romans 8:37 that we’re more than conquerors and that overwhelming victory is ours because Christ loves us. Colossians 2:10 says that we are completely, completely, complete because of our union with Christ. We are filled to overflowing with Holy Spirit power, and we prove this when we stand firm in faith come what may!∎
English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“How to Stand Firm in Your Faith in the Face of Adversity”, written for victoryinjesuschrist.life. Copyright© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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