Stand Up! Stand Firm! Stand Ready! Stand Together!

This world seems to be on fire. We can look at the news, and the internet (God help us on both), but all we will get is more anxiety. It seems like it’s a grease fire out of control, what shall we do! To quote 1980’s Philosopher William Joel, however, “We didn’t start the fire, it was always burning since the world’s been turning.” Our hyper connected world has given us a false sense of urgency. We look at what is going on, and it makes us panic, clutching tightly to our families, our treasures and our talents, asking “Can I make a difference at all?”

This dilemma reminds me of the story of a boy on the beach throwing starfish in to the sea when the tide brought in thousands. An old man stopped him, saying, “you can’t possibly make a dent in this, what does it matter?” to which the boy picks up a starfish, throws it in to the sea and says “it matters to this one!” Loved ones, we were never made to solve the world’s problems. Even if we could do so, more would crop up the moment we completed our task. So what are we meant to do? What are we supposed to focus on?

Paul tells the Ephesians to Stand Firm. He says to them (and to us) that the enemies we face aren’t flesh and blood. Yes, even those of flesh and blood who want to hurt or destroy us are not our enemies. Our enemies are SPIRITUAL forces. And how do we combat them? We put our armor on, and stand firm in Christ. We stand together, unwavering in our faith, ready for the Gospel, and we stand together. Jesus saw, from the Cross, that those jeering Him as he suffered were not His enemies. Stephen saw, as he was being stoned to death, that those casting stones were not His enemies. And Christians the world over understood that their enemies were not flesh and blood. So, let us, then, stand firm. Let us love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, and let us, in the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit stand up, stand firm, stand ready and stand together.

Matthew 5:38-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.