Gaining spiritual stability – Part 1

Those who understand the true essence of living, are not easily moved by daunting circumstances. They not only adapt to suffering, they adopt the experiences of hard times to more profitable ends. This was the case with Apostle Paul. He wrote the epistle to the Philippians during his incarceration in the Roman prison.

It is peculiarly an epistle of joy which shows that a genuine believer in Jesus Christ can always have and manifest true joy in spite of any prevailing negative circumstances. The secret of constant joy, victory and spiritual stability in every situation of life is to be firmly positioned “in the Lord” upon a solid spiritual foundation that cannot be affected by adversity or abundance, poverty or prosperity, sickness or health, privileged position or low estate, and endearment or opposition.

When Abraham, for instance, “believed in the Lord”, he obtained God’s righteousness which is the starting point of spiritual stability. And everyone who is thus justified and made righteous must trust, hope and delight himself “in the Lord” even during oppression, ill-health or persecution. Agitation, worry and anxiety may arise but believers rest “in the Lord”, our Protector and Provider. Once faced with grief, abandonment, absence of a sympathiser, counsellor or helper, David encouraged himself “in the Lord”. With a heart fixed on God whose promises and provisions are unfailing, the believer is unafraid of evil tidings. Even in times of economic downturn and reverses of life, he still rejoices “in the Lord”.

These are the secrets of Old Testament saints who enjoyed constant victory in Scripture which present-day believers in Christ must imbibe. The early believers in the New Testament were also bold and strong, stood fast and laboured “in the Lord”; their spiritual stability was unaffected by difficulty, danger, persecution or oppression. So, every Christian is expected to believe and be bold, labour and be steadfast, marry and remain faithful, possess Christ-like mind and be strong, continue with Christ and die “in the Lord”.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice”. Christ teaches that having one’s name in God’s book of life through repentance from sin and faith in Christ’s sacrifice is the real source of joy. Thus, believers must not allow transient earthly possessions to affect their relationship and devotion to the Lord; they after all, pilgrims on the way to heaven. Writing by the inspiration of the Spirit of God, Paul the apostle admonished believers to exercise moderation with regards to legitimate pursuits, acquisition and enjoyment of the mundane. This is to avoid making a shipwreck of their faith.

One man in the Bible who lacked this virtue, was Abraham’s nephew, Lot. He acquired the well-watered garden he so much desired but lost everything, including his family. Another man, Achan coveted the fads of this world and became a casualty. It was for luxury that King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard but drew the hand of God’s judgment. King Solomon’s lust of the flesh led him to acquire one thousand women, and in the process, incurred God’s displeasure. The findings of his insatiable quest for knowledge in all fields of human endeavour, like many present-day believers who have thrown moderation to the wind, is staggering. He said: “My son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12).

Games and sports are shifting the attention and focus of many believers from the Lord; as do the social media, politics and legitimate ambitions to acquire material things or travel around the world. Thus, believers have become obsessed with the ephemeral things at the expense of winning never-dying souls. The Lord had predicted that many hearts will “be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life” and warns believers: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Further Reading (King James Version): Philippians 4:4-9; 1:14; Genesis 15:6; Isaiah 45:17,24,25; 2 Kings 18:5; Psalm 31:24; 37:4,7; 1 Samuel 30:6; Psalm 112:7; Habakkuk 3:17,18; Acts 14:3; Ephesians 6:10; Romans 16:12; 1Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 4:17; Philippians 4:2; Revelation 14:13

Philippians 4:4,5; Luke 10:20; Ecclesiastes 12:12; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Peter 4:3,4; Mark 4:18,19; Hebrews 13:5,6; 1 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 4:7,8; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 22:16; 2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 John 3:1-3; 4:8; Hebrews 11:2; 2 Peter 1:3-8; Romans 2:29; 1 Timothy 4:15,16; Philippians 4:9; Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:13,14; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Philippians 3:13-17