Stand Fast

Something to think about.

 

Stand Fast

 

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. II Thessalonians 2:13-15 (KJV)

 

"Beloved by the Lord, chose you for salvation through sanctification by the spirit." These are wonderfully inspiring declarations made about you. Why is verse 15 in this prayer? After the marvelous truths that are revealed in verses 13-14 why is it necessary to say "stand fast"?

 

The writer is writing to Christians. True, they are probably all new or recent converts to Christianity. After all, this is being written at the birth of Christianity. But these Christians are not far removed from the death and resurrection of Christ. They have probably witnessed the power of God, by the miracles performed by the apostles. This is the closest generation to Christ Himself. And they are told to "stand fast."

 

Why are we told to "stand fast." Because we have a serious problem with our God memory. We have short-term memory long-term memory, and we have God memory. The first one to fail us is God memory. We have a tendency to quickly forget all that God has done for us. Since creation over short periods of time we allow him to dissipate from our minds.

 

We must be in a relationship with God to "stand fast." It isn't memory that is lacking, it is experience. It is the lack of constant experience. In other words when was the last time you had an experience with God. Was it this morning, was it while you are reading this?

 

He created us to know him. Not in a distant mystic or other worldly way. He created us to walk with Him in the cool of the day.  Not just from the written pages of a book. But also in valleys and the mountain tops when He walks and talks with us. Stand fast till your next encounter with Him. Remember Him until you see and experience Him again. Humanity has proven we lack the ability to remain faithful to " Stand fast" for longer than a minute. To "stand fast" we need more than the knowledge that we are the "beloved of God, chosen for salvation, sanctified by the Spirit." We need constant contact. We need an ongoing vibrant personal relationship with Him.