Talking Points with Pastor Lucas: Go First! Stand Firm

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved (Phil. 3:20-4:1).  

Paul exhorts the Philippians to stand firm in the face of an unbelieving and deceiving world. He reminds them of their heavenly citizenship, while also championing the power of the one who fights for them—Jesus Christ—noting that He will one day change their mortal bodies into resurrected glorious bodies like His. It is the essence of Christian confidence still today. 

Yet, standing firm is not always easy, nor is it always a pleasant experience. We no longer live in an age where Christian values and morals are the assumed foundation of society. Our American culture has not only transitioned to being secular, but is increasingly pagan, where the indulgent values and claims of other belief systems have replaced Christian morality and truth.

Workplaces have gone from being able to openly express Christian beliefs, to being politically correct, to now silencing Christian beliefs and forcing sensitivity training upon its workers to conform to alternate views about human identity and basic human truths. Standing firm when it may cost you your job is no small task.

But it’s not just for the Christian worker. Standing firm is also for the Christian student, the Christian parent, and the Christian neighbor. Graciously standing firm in our Christian convictions across our various vocations of life certainly takes fortitude. The student athlete who refuses to participate in the crass language or porn-surfing with teammates takes conviction. The student who kindly, but clearly, resists the transgender social contagion of her classmates takes stamina. Standing firm in the face of peer pressure is hard.

The parent who articulately refuses to go along with the crowd and the latest social ideology takes courage. The neighbor who remains kind, caring, and compassionate but refuses to affirm a neighborhood demonstration embracing sexual immorality takes resolve. We must encourage one another in the face of difficult times, while also remaining kind and reasonable toward those with whom we disagree.

Even more, the Christian who has given in to temptation and sinned, yet willingly repents and confesses that sin, asking for forgiveness, takes humility and strength. All are examples of what it means for us to stand firm. All are wrapped into Paul’s encouragement.

I don’t know about you, but some days are better than others for me. Some days I have confidence and courage, while others I find myself battling against the same old worries, temptations, and weaknesses. So, where do we find the strength to stand firm? Paul reminds us. The simple answer is Jesus.

There is something very reassuring when we hear the power of Jesus. He is the Lord of all lords, and the King of all kings. He walks on water and raises the dead. He is the creator of this world and can do whatever He pleases with just a snap of His fingers. Yet, He is more patient and loving than those who typically wield such power.

Consider Marvel’s comic book villain, Thanos, who chose to oppress the universe and destroy half the population with a snap of his fingers. He represents the truth of how power-hungry individuals are notorious for abusing that kind of power. History is full of such characters: Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, just to name those of recent memory. But you could add social media, news outlets, and influencers to that list as well. Our digital age has brought a new kind of power player to bear on our lives. The cruelty of despot rulers is of one kind while the digital rulers of our age brings another.      

Jesus, on the other hand, wraps His eternal power in flesh. He humbled Himself by becoming an infant baby, growing into a man who let Himself be crucified on a cross. That certainly took fortitude and humility. But He did it with you in mind, so that you might have the same ability to stand firm in the face of those who want to destroy your faith.

In fact, Jesus gives you the power to stand firm through some very specific means. Not by some fictional infinity gauntlet filled with some magical infinity stones. But by the infinite power of His Word, a Word that is also combined into water and spoken over bread and wine, to fill you with faith and strengthen your resolve with His grace.  

He knows the worst this world can bring. He knows the worst you and I can bring. Yet Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, so that you and I might have hope and confidence to face this fallen and broken world and share the gospel with others as we make our way through it.  

The Romans tried to destroy Him. The devil tried to bury Him. And sin tried to devour Him. But He stood firm; death could not hold Him! On the third day He came out alive.

Christ stands firm. He fights for us, even as we stand firm on the truth of His Word. We stand firm to the end, come what may, knowing we will receive the crown of eternal life. Death does not win - our bodies will be transformed, and Jesus will reveal His power to subject all things to Himself. We stand firm because Jesus stands firm.

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford
MN South District President, LCMS