A person with strong convictions is not likely to be swayed by any arguments from the opposition. You can debate and debate for hours with them, but they will likely hold tightly to what they believe. However, a weaker-willed person can often be turned from what they proclaim to believe. Even an army can often be quickly crushed if the soldiers are not firmly and strongly committed to their leader. In our Scripture today from Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church, we read of the importance of standing fast and holding tightly on to what we believe.
The Apostle Paul was only in the city of Thessalonica for a few short weeks before he was chased away by enemies of the Gospel, but during that brief time, many people came to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. They became saved through trusting in His death on the cross for them, and were sanctified by allowing the Holy Spirit to continue to work in and through their lives (vs. 13).
The persecution that drove Paul and his companions from the city, also continued to attack these new believers. Their lives were now beset on every side by attacks, abuse, and oppression from their enemies. Sometimes when that happens, some who claim to believe will fall away. They cannot endure any hardship in their life, and they will adapt to whatever makes life easier for them, including denying their faith. When he heard of the ongoing persecution they were experiencing, Paul wrote to the new Christians in Thessalonica to urge them to stand fast and not give up the faith. He also urged them to not stray from the sound doctrine they were taught by him, as not only was that early group of believers being persecuted, but false teachers had crept in, spreading false beliefs. (vs. 15).
The same should hold true to us today. With all that is happening in the world and in our lives today, God calls us to stand fast and firm. Just like a public debater stands true to their beliefs and is not easily swayed, we need to stand firm in our faith and not be turned away. When cunning false teachers creep in with their insidious lies portrayed as truth, we need to keep a firm grip, holding tightly to the truth that we were taught from the Bible.
As we look around today, we see some people who once stood strongly for the truth of God’s Word, we see churches, Bible schools, and organizations that once boldly proclaimed the Scriptures, but have now been swayed by the current conditions and situations of public opinion and the world, and no longer stand firmly on God’s truth found in His Word. They failed to stand fast and hold to the truth they had once known (vs. 15). As the world and its ungodly beliefs and standards strayed farther and farther away from God, they held on for a brief while, but then released their grip on the truth, and their convictions followed the world. This should not be the case with devoted followers of Jesus. Unshakeable trust in God and His Word is what needs to be what grounds our beliefs.
As Paul continued in his letter, he urged the Thessalonians to pray for their fellow believers, and especially those who spread the Gospel. He asked that they pray that God’s Word would continue to be proclaimed (vs. 1). When the Word of God is preached, some will accept the message, and some will oppose it (vs. 2). There will always be those who actively oppose God and His Word. Opposition to the Gospel will exist until the Lord returns.
Our main defense against the powers of Satan is prayer that God will protect and strengthen us. God is faithful to His promises in salvation, and to strengthen and protect us from Satan (vs. 3). Though some men cannot be trusted, God can always be depended upon. The Lord is faithful to protect us in every situation, so we should always stand firm and hold fast to His Word. Our message today is to stand fast in the truth of the Gospel, and God’s Word, the Bible.
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