Stand firm in Faith

Posted on Oct. 16, 2024, 10:22 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre

Considering the alarming rate of diverse teachings of the gospel, it appears we are in the era the scripture calls perilous times. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come,” (2 Tim.3:1) when some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. (1 Tim.4:1) There is no doubt the last days are fast approaching. Therefore, there is no other time to call our attention to the danger of losing our guard than now. Same way Apostle Paul called the attention of the brethren in Corinth. He says, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (1 Cor.16:13). Without vigilance, courage, and standing firm, the diverse teaching could cause havoc. As a result of the worrying situation, believers seem not to want to endure sound doctrine any more. They move from one Church to another, choosing what they want to hear according to their heart desires as foretold by the scripture that says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Tim.4:3-4) As a result of this, believers fall into the net of fake teachers who teaches Satan inspired doctrines, which the Bible describes as those “speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with hot iron.” (1 Tim.4:2) If one must stand firm in faith, he must avoid fake teachers and their teachings. He must shun profane and vain babblings of the fake teaching, for they will increase unto more ungodliness. But should instead listen to healthful teaching of the gospel that will make one to be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity and in patience. Teachings that will make one to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and be able to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. To stand firm in faith, one should not entangle oneself with the affairs of this life, but to please Jesus Christ that enlisted him as His soldier. One should not be characterized by all kinds of self-centered and unnatural perversion, such as maintaining an outward pretense, but refusing the reality that Christian faith expresses. Much as we make deliberate efforts to show ourselves to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, and incorruptibility, we cannot do without prayers. We need to engage in prayers of faith laced with the word of God and backed by the power of the Holy Spirit to consecrate ourselves for Christ and to be able to overcome the snare of fake teachers. Brethren, let us stand firm in faith and walk in Christ as we have received Him and be rooted and build up in Him. The Scripture says, “as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (Col.2:5-6) If we continue in the faith grounded and steadfast, nothing will be able to distract us and we shall not be moved away from the hope of the eternal life which is in Jesus Christ. Not even the fake teachers will be able to make us move away. Evangelism As the “The last days” are getting nearer, lets us introduce Christ to as many as we can. Tomorrow might be too late. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre