Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God—the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life an answer to the question and call of God.
Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Engulfed by God—that’s what this quote of Dietrich Bonhoeffer says to me. When everything I do and pursue centers around him and his calling, then I am able to stand fast.
How does this apply when attacks and persecution come my way? How does this work when I hear the voices of the world claim superiority to that of Christ?
It comes to the question I can then ask of God in the face of such trials: “What are you teaching me about yourself through this, God?” or “How can I respond in a way which brings you glory?”
To stand fast in this crazy world, we must take every thought captive and must test everything we hear by the Word. Otherwise, we allow our thoughts to be influenced by the noise and junk we hear.
Think of it like this: Breaking news comes through your social media feed. Do you take it at face value and repost right away, or do you take the time to search it out in other sources? Where’s it coming from? Is it true? Nine times out of ten, it’s just an attention-grabbing headline, far from the reality of the actual story.
Satan works this way. He grabs our attention to a cause or lie by feeding us a headline to play on our emotions and pride. Don’t let him knock you off balance. Stand fast in the work the Lord has given you and be the answer to the question of what it looks like to be one who stands firm.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Stand fast in exclusive allegiance to God to his glory.
Grace and peace