The Holy Spirit, through Paul, then gives us three ways that we can “stand firm”.  We are to “rejoice in the LORD always”[xii], let our “reasonableness be known”[xiii], and to not be anxious.[xiv]  The remainder of our discussion will focus on letting our “reasonableness be known”.

There are tremendous pressures in our culture.  Talk radio proclaims that “America, as we know it, has been, or soon will be lost.”  Members of Christ’s church can succumb to fear and the cries that “we need to do something!”  There is talk of violence.  Some speak of the potential need to take up arms.  Let us remember: our citizenship is heaven![i]

As much as we may love and honor our country, we are, first, subjects of the King of Kings.  Christ remains seated in the heavens, and has yet to be dethroned.  In fact, God the Father laughs at the puny, ineffective, ridiculous, and  rebellious efforts of men (and women!)[ii]  Has not the LORD Jesus Christ been given “all authority in heaven and earth”[iii] and “been seated at the right hand of God”?[iv]  Has not your LORD “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him?”[v]

The issues that face the church are numerous and complex.  We need the wisdom that is from above in order to know how to live, how to respond to our decaying culture.  Paul gives us, a portion, of the wisdom we need in Philippians 4:1-7.[vi]  In light of the fact that: “there are many enemies of the cross”,[vii] that we are waiting for Christ’s return[viii], and that Christ will transform us into His image[ix]; we are commanded to “STAND FIRM”.  sthkete (Stand Firm) is a military term.  It pictures a soldier standing in the midst of the coming onslaught.[x]

Offensive warfare states:

“I don’t have that ground and I am fighting to take it”.

Defensive warfare states:

“I have the ground, and I am fighting to keep it”.

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