Stand firm!

We don't watch a lot of television at our house.  That is good on one hand and bad on the other.  In fact, because we didn't watch the news this past Saturday night, we weren't reminded of the time change.  We woke up Sunday morning, walked out to the barn and milked the cows and fed all the animals and finished up all the chores before washing up for church where Tricia teaches the elementary Sunday School class and I teach the Youth Sunday School class.

I was in the shower when Tricia came in and told me that someone from church called to ask if we were coming to church.  When Tricia answered, "Yes, why?" the caller told Tricia, "Oh, ya'll must have missed the time change.  Both your Sunday School Classes are waiting for you!"  Oh, man!  Did we ever blow it...

One of the reasons that we don't watch a lot of TV is that much of of the programming is trying to sell a worldview that we don't agree with regarding culture and morals.  The media never rests in its attempt to portray as normal behavior that is not normal or acceptable.  If watching programs that subconsciously sell their agenda wasn't successful in advancing their goal, merchandisers wouldn't fork over millions to advertise their wares - be it products or ideas.

Then there is just the rampant consumerism, where an endless stream of goods and services are paraded before your eyes, enticing you, making you covet these items that will supposedly complete you or make your life easier.  We try our best to screen/censor our viewing to minimize the effect of the battle that wages before our eyes.

Our culture reminds me of the first chapter of the Book of Isaiah where the prophet Isaiah was telling about a vision he had concerning the rebellious nation of Judah:

21 See how the faithful city
    has become a prostitute!
She once was full of justice;
    righteousness used to dwell in her—
    but now murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross,
    your choice wine is diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels,
    partners with thieves;
they all love bribes
    and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
    the widow’s case does not come before them.

Truth be told, ever since the fall of Man in the Garden, we've been rebelling, cheating, lying, stealing, and murdering.  But it seems like things keep getting worse.  Our greed and lustful appetites seems to be never sated, our regard for our fellow man seems to be in free fall and our moral compass seems to be broken with good being called evil and evil being called good. Rather than come together, we seem to be falling prey to being divided and then the wolves find us 'easy pickins,'  It can be overwhelming if you don't have Hope.

You see, back in the days of the Apostle Paul, things were sort of similar as well. Corinth was a city in Greece that was well-known for its wealth, arts, knowledge, luxury and vice.  Sound familiar? Paul received unfavorable reports about the Church at Corinth. Foundational Doctrine was being attacked, people were being divided, and no doubt the Corinthians were discouraged, embattled, and needed direction and encouragement in the midst of the assault.

Photo Credit

So Paul wrote an inspired letter to the church.  1 Corinthians 15 is a great Chapter, but I want to concentrate on the 58th verse since I'm a guy that likes to "cut to the chase."  What should the Corinthians do?  What should we do???

1 Corinthians 15:58

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

The Apostle Paul is saying once you are in Truth (the Good News: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!), hang onto that truth doggedly, stubbornly.  Don't waver in unbelief!  As Believers we have the Promise of eternal life.  We, like Christ, will one day experience triumph over death and the grave.


Persevering in trial is hard and it is all too easy to fall by the wayside in the 'fog of war.'  You must maintain a cool head and be steady, depending on Him regardless of the chaos that surrounds us.  We are in a spiritual battle.  We must heed Paul's words.

In the movie, "The Patriot"  Mel Gibson's character, Benjamin Martin, and family are under attack by the Redcoats. They've burned his home, barn and out-buildings.  They've killed his livestock.  They have abducted one of his boys. Things look bleak.  He and his boys are under attack by the enemy and he has some advice for his sons right before they go to battle against their foes:
  

Photo Credit

MARTIN: I'll fire first.  Then, Nathan, kill whoever is standing closest to Gabriel.  Samuel, kill the last man in the line.  They stagger under the weight of the orders.  Martin notices but continues.

MARTIN: After that, Samuel, load for Nathan.  If something happens to me, put down your weapons and run as fast as you can, that way, downhill.  Hide in the brush by the river, then make your way home, get the others and go to Aunt Charlotte's.

The boys hesitate.  Martin looks at them firmly.

MARTIN: Boys... steady.

Those are good words - Be Steady!  Keep the Faith!  Stand firm!  If we are in Christ, we will have victory.