“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I LOVE and LONG FOR, my JOY and CROWN, STAND FIRM in the Lord IN THIS WAY, dear friends!” (Phil. 4:1)
Paul declares these three reasons why we stand firm,
- I LOVE AND LONG FOR YOU: “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you…MY WHOLE BODY LONGS (kâmahh: an overwhelming desire which compels me to stand firm) FOR YOU…I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your POWER AND GLORY. Your unfailing love is BETTER THAN LIFE ITSELF; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.” (Psalms 63:1-4)
- YOU ARE MY JOY AND CROWN: Paul has found a way to deal with everything he faces: through Christ, who strengthens him. Paul also knew that his faithful ministry to these believers was ROOTED IN THE ETERNAL. They were his hope, they were his joy and they were his crown of rejoicing for Paul knew that one day they would REJOICE TOGETHER in the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- IN THIS WAY STAND FIRM: When we long for the Lord and really love the Lord He becomes our true JOY. This church was perhaps Pauls’ favorite church and it is because they brought him SO MUCH JOY. They labored in the gospel like Clement and other “fellow workers” and Paul reassures them that their names are written “in God’s book of life” and God has no eraser for those who are in this book. So, this is how we need to stand firm as well.
“Be on guard. STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH. Be courageous. Be strong. And DO EVERYTHING WITH LOVE.” (1 Corin. 16:13-14) Stand firm in LOVE because, “LOVE NEVER FAILS. BUT PROPHECIES, WILL FAIL; TONGUES, WILL CEASE; KNOWLEDGE, WILL VANISH AWAY.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham