STANDING FOR MY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS

Philippians 1:12-14 says, "And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear." Paul was under house arrest in Rome for preaching the gospel. According to the tradition, he was chained by the wrist to a soldier. While he was in house arrest, he was able to write letters to the churches, such as the church in Philippi. He was also allowed to accept visitors, which allowed him to teach and preach the gospel. His house arrest could have been a devastating lost in spreading the gospel, but God used it to inspire many believers to stand for the gospel and preach it all the more without fear while he was imprisoned.

The Roman Empire attempted to prevent the spread of the gospel among its population by putting Paul in house arrest. However, his imprisonment inspired others to stand for their faith and continued to preach the gospel. No matter how an empire, a government, a movement, or a group of people tries to stop the message of the gospel, the gospel message will always continue because God is always in control. God cannot be stopped. As believers, we represent God in this world, and no matter how the world tries to stop us from sharing and living our faith, the world will always fail because our God is bigger than this world. Let us be inspired to stand with courage about our faith in the Lord Jesus. Let us not be intimidated to stand on the Word of God, for in the end God will judge those who are against Him and the message of His Word. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28)."

When we stand for our faith in our Lord Jesus in front of our friends, classmates, families, coworkers, acquaintances, or even strangers, we are standing for our God, and we are allowing God to use our lives to influence them with His presence. When we share our faith to others, we are influencing them with the message of God that can save their souls. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How does God wants me to live my life? Why is it important for me to live out and stand for my faith in the Lord Jesus? Why should I not be intimidated in living out and stand for my faith in the Lord Jesus?   

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to stand for my faith, and not be afraid to share my faith with others. There is nothing that can stop your gospel from spreading because you are always in control. They may persecute me because of standing for my faith, but in th end, they will know that you are the king of kings and the lord of lords. I pray that you will give me the courage to live for you today. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.