Stand fast in it.
Summary: Context is very important as we strive to understand God’s Word. Peter writes, “Stand fast in it.” The “it” is the grace of God.
Do you know what the “it” is? What, exactly, does Peter want you to stand fast in?
If we look back a few words to get the context of his statement today, we find:
“With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.”
Context is everything when it comes to understanding God’s Word!
We are to stand fast in the true grace of God.
Part of me wants to simply stand back and admire Peter’s words. The other part of me wants to analyze them. Hmmm… I think I will stick with analyzing them.
The grace of God is what calls us to eternal glory in Christ. (1 Peter 5:10) It is also what restores us from our broken, sinful condition. Peter says,
The “God of all grace … will himself restore you…”
God draws us to himself, redeems us, and heals us. Then Peter adds, “Stand fast in it.”
Why?
The “why” is that we have a choice. We can choose to accept Jesus, and we can choose to reject him. There is no promise of redemption for those who find Jesus and then turn their back on him. (Hebrews 6:4-10) The irony is that when we “stand fast,” it is not by our power but by God’s. (Romans 14:4)
Application: Let’s keep our eyes on God, our redeemer. Always.
Food for Thought: What does the ”fast”mean in ”stand fast?”
It means stand “firm” stand “undeterred” stand “steady”. We are remain resolute in our following of Christ. We are to persist in having our eyes on him. We are to persist in not spurning His grace which is being manifested toward us. We are to not be swayed by the attractions of the world, the flesh or the devil. We are not to look back or from side to side. Remember Lot’s wife.
We are to be salt and light, but not become a salt lick in the desert or countryside for the wild beasts to lick.
No person is fit for the kingdom of God who once they have begun their journey or path in following Christ turns away.
Real Christians, finish. Real followers follow.
My sheep know My voice, and they hear and follow Me.
We may get briefly distracted, or stumble, or become injured or weak for a time. But true believers know, love, and always return to hearing and following the Savior. It’s who we are.
An animal knows who it’s Master is. Sons and daughters of the King know who their Father and Master is. We belong to, know, love, and follow Jesus.
It is who we are. It’s part of a real Christian’s DNA. We long to be like Him, we are never comfortable being a pig wallowing in a mud pit of sin. We will always want to return, be cleansed, and be free in Him. Praise the name of the Lord. Amen.
Jeff,
Thank you for your thoughts this morning! I like the word, “resolute.” That says a lot.
Yes, but Thank you for writing threeminutebible.com. It is an awesome addition to my day, and a tremendous assistance in focusing on the Word and following the Lord.
By design, I trust, and not just a freak accident. I will call it a providence, a gift to know, understand, and deepen my walk with God, improve my love and fellowship with others, and pursue the Lord better.
You are not that righteous in and of yourself. I think you have been listening to the Holy Spirit, and are being transformed by the Lord. Just an educated guess. 😉
Jeff,
I am very happy to give ALL of the glory to God for whatever is of value here. 🙂
John 10: 1-18.
Acts 20:32 refers to the Bible as ‘the word of grace’.
Is it possible that by reading God’s word daily we regulate the ‘flow’ of grace into our life?
What is grace? It is God doing for us what we are not able to do for our selves.
Thank you, Anon!
I definitely think Peter is pointing that direction.
Another way to say “stand fast” is to say “stand firm.” The word “fast” is not in the Greek. It is simply connected with how the word “stand” is translated. The imagery of standing firm likely comes from Roman soldiers who needed to keep their footing in hand to hand battle or they were in trouble. See standing firm in Ephesians 6: 11 – 14. We stand firm or fast in grace. Grace is an important element to be able to stand in Christ. Without grace, what do we have?
Rich,
I like the example of keeping our footing in battle. Peter certainly paints a picture of a battle between those who are called and those who are not.
What does the ”fast”mean in ”stand fast?”
1.) Fast increases the intensity, requires more energy than slow, means happening, moving, or doing something at great speed. We use fast to say that something happens without any delay.
2.) Dictionary, stand fast – refuse to abandon one’s opinion or belief, be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge; “I must insist!”
3.) Stand Fast, A US infantry term to militarily HOLD your position against an opposing force.
Peter has just given instructions for Godly living to the elders and the younger believers, as identified in verse 1. He is now instructing them to trust totally in Gods Grace, His power to accomplish all he has previously instructed. 1 John 4:11, Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another,
My wife and I were traveling on the road and went to the Camping Parks central shower facility in the late afternoon so we could clean up before calling it a day. I as usual was the first one done and came out to have a seat on a bench beside a gruffly man, wearing dirty clothes, with a backpack at his feet. He had a radio and was listening to a western music station. A man was telling a story to music of how everything in his life was always going wrong. His horse wound never run, dog ran away, chickens would not lay eggs, and on it went. It was meant to be funny, and I started laughing. Soon we were both laughing Big Belly laughs as this poor man on the radio sang of his sad life. ( It was as if the Holy Spirit was joining our spirits through the music.) After the song I began talking with the man and he told me his true and terribly sad story. ( my wife came out of the shower at some point, being accustomed to my chatting with strangers, she took a seat at another bench and observed. ) God used me to speak with this man about why these things could have happened, and how his trusting Jesus for his salvation was the only solution, and in the end we prayed for his salvation. I was ready to leave and I realized the man could be physically hungry also. I reached in my pocket and gave him a $20.00 bill, and he began to cry. I blessed him, said goodbye and joined my wife, we went back to our camp. On the way I shared the details and realized I had never once thought about what I was doing. God had brought a person in need to me, had used me to ministered to his spirit and flesh, I simply enjoyed the blessing He had brought into the lives of my wife and I.
All I did was STAND FAST IN GODS GRACE.
I think Peter is saying, we must always, consistently focus on holding ourselves back and allowing God to work through each of us to perform His will in the lives of others. The enemy here is our flesh, not the person brought to us.
Be quick to allow God to right a wrong, give support to the weak, comfort to those in pain, teach his truths to others, just as He has given faith to each of us. Standing Fast in Gods Grace is standing firm, holding ourselves back, allowing God to minister to others.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:23-25
Wow! Great comments Rich. Thanks
Ron,
Thank you for sharing your camping story. What a beautiful example of loving others.
Jeff,
Standing Fast in Gods Grace!
Ron
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Choose!