The apostle Paul instructs Christian believers in each epistle to "stand firm," or perservere
in the gospel that he received
and passed down. This admonition is found in the epistles to the Corinthians
(1 Corinthians 15:20), Galatians (Galatians 1:8-9), Thessalonians
(2 Thess 2:13-15), Colossians (Col 1:23), Philippians (4:1),
Timothy (2 Timothy 1:13), and Titus (Titus 2:1, 14, 3:4-5). In standing firm there is a tension between God's initiative (grace),
and man's responce (faith). For example, it is God that "makes us and you stand firm in Christ" (2 Cor 1:22).
However, in the immediate context this enabling is appropriated by faith-"by faith you stand firm" (2 Cor 2:1).
This noteworthy distinction puts God's neccesary enabling, and man's freedom to appropriate/not appropriate as it relates to standing firm in the gospel
in propper perspective. Specifically, it shows that faith in faith itslef, and apart from God's empowering gospel truth is useless
on an individual level on one hand. On the other, it shows God's empowering gospel truth apart from appropriating faith is also
useless on an individual level. The Lord Jesus Christ, calling himself the Vine, expressed it with simplicity by
telling his "branches"-"Abide in the Vine" and "Abide in me." In any case, almost all of the passages where Paul
admonishes to "stand firm" it is in the context of encouraging those who have believed in the gospel to will to continue
in God's empowering gospel by appropriation. In other words,
it is important to strive in appropriating God's grace predicated upon His gospel unto salvation.
It is vital, therefore, to understand what gospel
the apostle Paul actually received and passed down in order to appropriate and pereservere by grace through faith.
You can examine what is written about the gospel in the context of each writing throughout this site.
So What: What is the relevance to you personally? Please consider the links below.
