Our theme this year is Standing Firm in the Faith. There is a great need for all of us to be sure about foundational truth. There are many today who are trying to undermine the Word of God and to shake the faith of Christians. It is more important than ever that we know the truth and stand firm in it.
Paul uses the phrase “Stand fast” in several passages in the New Testament, but in 1 Corinthians 16:3, he writes “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (NKJV). These four instructions might easily be have given to a watchman guarding a city in Paul's day but the same truths are important for us today.
• Watch - Be alert. 1 Peter 5:8 calls on believers to be vigilant because our adversary walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. In Matthew we are reminded to be aware of false prophets who come in disguise and deceive many. Spiritual opposition comes in many forms and we need to be on the alert and prepared.
• Stand fast in the faith – The picture again is of a soldier following an order by his commander to hold or defend a position. If he was to abandon that position at the first sign of opposition, he would be an ineffective and useless soldier. We have to be prepared to hold our position spiritually as well. Don’t buckle or compromise when the opposition comes!
• Be brave – It is almost as if the apostle is anticipating our objections! It is not easy to hold an unpopular or controversial position. It requires bravery and strength of character and purpose. That courage comes from the Holy Spirit and requires us to be bold before men. There are many examples of boldness in the New Testament, but I am often encouraged by reading the account of Joseph of Arimathea in Mark 15 who took courage and asked Pilate for the body of the Lord. Even the disciples had fled by then, but this man, a prominent council member risked his life and reputation and went in to Pilate to make this request. The Lord seldom asks us to risk our lives, but He does call on us to make a stand for Him. Let's look for opportunities to make a stand each day.
• Be strong – This last instruction is a curious one. We would not suggest that a weight-lifter or athlete just ‘be strong’. Strength comes as a result of effort. They have trained and pushed themselves to achieve a level of strength. Similarly, as believers we cannot just hope to be strong without putting in the required effort and commitment. That means spending time in the Word, studying, reflecting, memorizing and understanding what God wants us to know. And then putting into practice in our lives each day. It also means taking the hardships, trials and difficulties of life and using them to grow spiritually. Instead of trying to avoid them, we should be making the most of them.
We trust that this camp theme might become the theme of our lives in the year ahead.
