A FINAL APPEAL. Philippians 4 The Christian life is not a casual walk through life, with weekly church meetings as the main spiritual focus. We are constantly training to be effective Christian witnesses here, especially for the future reign. Taking up the cross daily and following the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth requires time, dedication, and practice, much like an athlete trains for a race. Successful Christian living involves vision, vitality, and adventure.
Christ is the ultimate goal of this life, so we must focus on Him and seek His will for us. If we glance around and let our attention drift toward worldly things, we will quickly become sidetracked. Those running the race of living for Christ will find it requires our energy and commitment each day to do what we do unto the Lord.
Spiritual exercise fortifies the soul and spirit, and when these are strong in the Lord and His might, our bodies can be brought under control even though they are not yet sanctified and made new in Christ Jesus. The ongoing practice of reading the Bible, praying earnestly, meditating on what we read, and applying what we learn will build the spirit's stamina to “stand fast in the Lord.”
Those who remain steadfast in the Lord will not abandon their faith in Him but will be consistent in their conduct for the Lord and will gladly fellowship with His people. Paul encouraged the believers at Philippi to stay united and support one another. Rejoicing in the Lord, being kind to everyone, trusting God in every situation, filling their minds with things that benefit them and others, and following Paul’s example were the keys to standing firm.
These principles of living are just as relevant to us as they were to the Philippians. We must stand firm in faith in what we know to be true and biblical. We must also resist what is false and deceptive. There will always be some form of opposition for those who live godly in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit within us empowers us to persevere when challenged. He strengthens our faith and character through God’s Word and fellowship with other believers.