Standing Fast - December 24

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:8 

For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 

Reflect 

Have you ever received news that renewed your soul and made you feel alive again? What were the circumstances? 

For most Christian parents, it’s terrible to consider that our children may not be walking with the Lord. Having wayward children grieves the hearts of so many parents. Understandably so!  

Paul thought of those he discipled as his spiritual children. So for him, he didn’t want any of those he called his children in any of the churches he’d founded to go astray or submit to false teaching. It would have broken and grieved his heart to hear it.  

This was Paul’s great concern for the Thessalonian church. He couldn’t bear being separated from them, not knowing whether they were able to withstand the persecution they were facing or not. He didn’t know if they were growing and maturing in Christ or if they felt stuck without apostolic leadership. He didn’t know if they’d maintained solid doctrine or if they’d adopted false teaching and false practices. Not knowing and worrying for them had to have sucked the life out of him. Plus, Paul was experiencing his own struggles with trials and persecution.  

Today’s verse tells us that Timothy’s report about the Thessalonians was a breath of fresh air to Paul. It renewed his spirit! They were “standing fast” in the Lord after all! Their faith and love for the Lord was steadfast and stable. Knowing that his spiritual children in Thessalonica were holding steady and keeping the faith gave him a sense of renewal. He said, “Now we live” as in, “now we are really living.” Now, they could breathe again because they’d received hopeful, encouraging news about those they loved so dearly and had been so concerned about. 

Satan was opposing them all. He was trying to trip them up and split them up. But they hadn’t given in and they hadn’t given up. They remained “in the Lord”! And Paul was relieved and re- energized to know it.  

You know, in our day, “deconstruction” is on the rise. People are leaving the Christian faith they grew up with, in many cases publicly by posting their grievances with Christianity online. The statistics are especially sad for our youth. In 2019, the Barna group discovered that 64% of young adults with a Christian background or upbringing had “dropped out” of the church. To further muddy the waters, many Christians no longer think like Christians, even if they think they do. Barna Group surveys determined that only 19% of people who call themselves Christians actually have a biblical worldview. It sincerely grieves the hearts of biblically faithful pastors and youth leaders to have children who have been under their pastoral care walk away from Christ and live for the world instead.  

Imagine these pastors opening letters or emails with good news from former youth that they are still standing fast in the Lord. Imagine grateful parents giving these ministers the good report that their child has remained close to Christ during college. Think of how that good news will feel like a breath of fresh air. Imagine how it could revive their hearts and renew their enthusiasm for ministry!  

Have you ever considered how our faithful obedience to the Lord can be life-giving to those who have dedicated their lives to serving Him and ministering to you? A kind word never hurts either! I encourage you to tell your pastor at your local church some good news about what God is doing in your life. Thank Him for his service and dedication to ministry. Your words will probably be a breath of fresh air. 

Respond  

Lord, thank You for the pastors and church leaders who have poured into my life, taught me Your Word, and urged me to stand fast in the Lord. Give me the courage to be faithfully obedient to You. May my steadfastness in the faith encourage and renew others, for Your glory. Amen. 

Reveal  

Find someone who could use a spiritual mentor and offer to invest in their life through discipleship, urging them to stand fast in the Lord.