Philippians 4:1 NIVUK
[1] Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Ephesians 14-6:10 NIVUK
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then... https://bible.com/bible/113/eph.6.11.NIVUK
The Charge of the Light Brigade was one of the worst mistakes in British military history. Recorded by the famous poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, on 25th October 1854, during the exceptionally brutal Crimean War, British light infantry, riding fast horses and carrying swords, attacked a Russian military position.
Just one problem: the Russian military position consisted of captured Ottoman guns, including early versions of machine guns. The attack was full frontal, on hillsides devoid of tree cover.
You can imagine what happened next: a massacre of both men and horses.
The thing is, the whole tragedy could have been easily avoided. The order to ‘Charge’ was misunderstood: they were supposed to sneak up behind the gun position, not attack it from the front.
Terrible things can happen when orders are misunderstood.
And I believe that sometimes those who call themselves ‘Christians’ have badly misunderstood their orders.
We are not called to mount political campaigns for power. We are not called to protest. We are not called to picket. We are not called to heated debates, either in Parliaments, TV, radio or social media.
We are certainly not called to riots or insurrections.
Personally, my belief is that Christians should not be anywhere near any of these.
Because our call is not to ‘take the fight to the enemy’. Our call is not to ‘take the offensive’.
It absolutely is not to ‘be offensive’. Let me make that clear.
No. Our call is to stand.
If that seems boring to you, I strongly advise you to read on as we explore the five ways we should stand as followers of Jesus Christ.
The first is to stand firmly:
Philippians 4:1 NIVUK
[1] Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! https://bible.com/bible/113/php.4.1.NIVUK
Let me point our something interesting about this verse. We see a similar word used elsewhere in the New Testament in some very interesting places:
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIVUK
[13] Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. https://bible.com/bible/113/1co.16.13.NIVUK
Galatians 5:1 NIVUK
[1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Philippians 1:27 NIVUK
[27] Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel https://bible.com/bible/113/php.1.27.NIVUK
2 Thessalonians 2:15 NIVUK
[15] So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
This is a call for a stubborn, but quiet and dignified, endurance in the faith and the Gospel they have come to believe in.
I had a friend in Romania who did military service. The service he performed is a fine example of what this means. He was a guard at Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport, close to the city of Constanța, which later became a NATO base. He was on a four hour rotation: four hours of guard duties, four hours of preparation, four hours of rest. Every day. For months. In the scorching heat (the temperature on the tarmac in that airport can get close to fifty degrees Celsius), in the cold (temperatures can drop to below minus twenty degrees Celsius), the rain, hail, sleet and snow, in states of exhaustion and pain. He endured it all.
Because that was his duty.
He stood firm.
And that is what Paul is imploring the Philippians to do:
To stand firm in the face of religious and racial bias.
To stand firm in the face of misunderstanding.
To stand firm in the face of false, ignorant accusation and innuendo.
To stand firm in the face of temptation.
To stand firm in the face of doubt.
To stand firm in the face of persecution.
To stand firm even in the face of death itself.
And why?
Because we can be absolutely sure that it will be worth it in the end.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIVUK
[58] Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
Paul implores the Philippians, on the basis of his friendship and love for them, but also his pride in them, because he wants to stand beside them when they eventually receive their eternal reward for not giving up or giving in.
On the same basis, as a brother in Christ, I implore you: stand firm in the Lord!
But Paul moves on from telling us to stand firmly to something that, at first glance, seems quite out of place:
Philippians 3-4:2 NIVUK
[2] I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. [3] Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
In these verses, which must, without doubt, have been acutely embarrassing for the two women involved, Paul re-introduces the concept of stand together.
No man is an island. So it is said. But we can confidently say that no Christian is an island either. Those who, through perfectionism and judgementalism, pull up the drawbridge and refuse to allow others in, make themselves a kind of short-haired Rapunzel and doom themselves to a weakened life alone. They commit an act of psychological and spiritual self-harm. They also rob the Body of Christ of their gifts, abilities, strengths, weaknesses and sensitivities.
I find these two verses fascinating. Their difference was clearly not theological. Paul did not come down on one side or the other. Neither was it moral. Paul did not say one was right and the other wrong.
He just tells them to stop.
This leads me to the conclusion that it was personal. And if it was personal, it was likely petty – particularly in the context of the persecution the Philippian church had experienced since its inception.
And why would Paul – an elderly death row prisoner – have written to two warring women about a personal issue?
Because their division was clearly affecting the church.
We have learned a lot about that recently, haven’t we? I’m sure few in Africa would have even heard of the country of Ukraine. They certainly have now. The Russian invasion of Ukraine stifled exports from Europe’s bread basket, meaning that exports of grain to famine-plagued countries in Africa were seriously affected, causing unexpected secondary victims of this needless war.
Let’s forget the idea that human beings can get engaged in a squabble that only affects a few people. That is obviously nonsense.
Our fights always affect other people.
The pop singer Adele recently acknowledged this when she released a song called ‘Easy On Me’, when she asked her young son for his forgiveness because she was walking out on her husband and divorcing him.
And that’s just it: our fights affect other people.
Paul wrote three whole chapters to the warring Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14), explaining to them that they are part of one body and therefore should take care of each other and seek a middle ground.
Now he is dealing with two warring women with personal issues in a section on standing firm.
Why?
Imagine, for a second, that a high wire walker or a trapeze artist is training for a difficult routine they will perform in a circus. They are having difficulty getting it right. They keep falling into their safety net time and time again.
What high wire walker or trapeze artist would then decide to cut the net?
Paul appeals to Euodia and Syntyche to agree, to be of one mind, because their division is ripping the safety net that others in the church fall into. Their argument is undermining the church.
They are harming other people’s ability to stand firm.
Instead of expending energy to stand up to the tidal wave of persecution and temptation coming their way, these women are distracted by fighting each other.
They have forgotten who the real enemy is.
That is why Paul sends a co-worker to sort this out.
Division is serious. Really serious. For us to stand firm, we must stand together.
This all sounds rather grim and serious, doesn’t it?
However, Paul’s next exhortation turns that upside down, as he tells the Philippians to stand joyfully:
Philippians 4:4 NIVUK
[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! https://bible.com/bible/113/php.4.4.NIVUK
Their situation is very difficult. No doubt in that. As is Paul’s. More difficult than most of us will ever face in our lifetime.
But Paul still tells them to rejoice!
And let’s not think for one second that Paul is staring into the face of his beaten, bloodied fellow believers and telling them to ‘turn that frown upside down’.
This is way more than that.
He is not telling them to ‘Don’t worry, be happy’. He is telling them to be well, to thrive, to rejoice exceedingly, in the midst of severe and unrelenting persecution.
How?
‘Rejoice in the Lord.’
Their joy is not a reaction to what is happening to them, but what God has done, is doing and will do for them. It is not a reaction to a what but a who.
Their circumstances may change, for better or for the worst (given their circumstances, the worst seems more likely), but their Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
This is a familiar message. Look what Habakkuk wrote in the Old Testament:
Habakkuk 19-3:17 NIVUK
[17] Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the sheepfold and no cattle in the stalls, [18] yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. [19] The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
Or David, while fleeing from an enemy in the Desert of Judah:
Psalms 11-63:9 NIVUK
[9] Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. [10] They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. [11] But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
It is this joy in the Lord, despite terrible circumstances, that brought down the earthquake and released Paul and Silas from prison (Acts 16:25-26).
Is it any wonder that Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord twice (Philippians 3:1, 4:4)?
And the incongruity continues. As well as standing firmly, together and joyfully, Paul tells the Philippians to stand gently:
Philippians 4:5 NIVUK
[5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. https://bible.com/bible/113/php.4.5.NIVUK.
The word translated as ‘gentleness’ is a bit mistranslated here. We may assume to mean ‘lightness of touch’ or ‘mildness’.
It can mean those things. However, it also means ‘fairness’ and ‘even-handedness’. It hints at a just and righteous judgement given without bias or hidden motive.
This is a call for Christians to be fair.
That is why, I believe, Paul adds to it the invocation of the Lord being near.
But why does he do it?
Perhaps this verse might help:
1 Corinthians 4:9 NIVUK
[9] For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.
Paul uses a horrific picture of the apostles as being like slaves, dragged into the arena, jeered by the crowd, with certain death awaiting them, for the amusement of those looking on.
It is truly barbaric.
But there is one aspect of this that we can relate to: that of being on display; of being held up to the world as an example.
We are on display. The world is watching.
We must be gentle!
The situation in Philippi was pretty sensitive. Paul and Silas were well aware of this when they were visiting, which could be one of the reasons why the possessed slave girl caused them such disquiet (Acts 16:16-18).
Now imagine how much worse it would have been if the Christians were seen to be heavy-handed and biased, politically-minded campaigners allied to one party or another, divided between loyalties other than to Christ?
In 2017, there was controversy when the Philippines cancelled the visa of an Australian nun and deported her. The reason why was very simple. She had become an advocate for the rights of smaller tribes and farmers in the south of the country. A noble cause, yes. We might say that.
However, as a foreigner and a religious worker, it was not her fight.
It is absolutely possible for Christians to have noble causes, particularly political causes, for which we might want to take a stand.
But we cannot do so if they compromise our stand for Christ. As aliens and strangers here, our primary task is the spread of the Gospel. If, by taking a stand on causes or hobby-horses, we leave ourselves open to accusations or bias, then we must stop. They cannot be our fight.
If we take our stand on politics, we are not standing on Christ.
If we take our stand on minor, fringe theologies, we are not standing on Christ.
If we take our stand on identities, we are not standing on Christ.
To stand gently, we must do so fairly and without bias.
How different would the political arena be if we took this seriously?
What about social media?
Or even our churches?
Christian, stand gently!
Lastly, following Paul’s exhortation to stand firmly, together, joyfully and gently, we also see that we should stand peacefully:
Philippians 7-4:6 NIVUK
[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. https://bible.com/bible/113/php.4.6.NIVUK
Paul presents a truth here that we must take in and understand: anxiety is a choice; peace is a choice. The two are mutually exclusive. We choose to be anxious or we choose to be at peace. We cannot have both.
I'm sure you agree with me pretty readily about not being able to have peace and anxiety at the same time. That sounds perfectly reasonable.
But anxiety or peace we choose? That is quite a challenge.
Look again at the language Paul uses. He tells the Philippians to not be anxious. Despite the persecution. Despite the threats. Despite the violence.
This is not the only place in the Bible where we are told to not worry or be anxious:
Matthew 34-6:31 NIVUK
[31] So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.6.31.NIVUK
And the path from anxiety to peace is not some miraculous intervention from God that we did not expect or ask for.
No. At the opening of the path to peace we find prayer.
Prayer to God, bringing Him our situation and leaving it there, is what leads us to peace.
Jesus explains the same thing slightly differently:
Matthew 30-11:28 NIVUK
[28] ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.11.28.NIVUK
Luke 12-12:11 NIVUK
[11] ‘When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’
John 14:1 NIVUK
[1] ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. https://bible.com/bible/113/jhn.14.1.NIVUK
John 14:27 NIVUK
[27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. https://bible.com/bible/113/jhn.14.27.NIVUK
There are many bridges in the UK. Some are quite new. Some are very old. Some of them have a weight limit. If your vehicle is less than that weight limit, it can cross the bridge without issues. If is heavier, then you run the risk of the bridge falling apart beneath your vehicle and causing a huge accident.
The reason why we become anxious is because we feel pressure that we are not made to carry. We are confronted with a challenging situation and we do not believe we have the resources to deal with it.
But the answer to anxiety is not a what but a who. Medication may help. Breathing exercises may help. Even Scriptural meditation may help. At the end of the day, these things can help make us more rational and lucid, but they do not have the power in themselves to resolve the problem.
God does.
They do not have the power to change our perspective on the problem.
God does.
They cannot provide us with the resources to face, and even overcome, the problem.
God does.
That is why prayer is not the pathway from anxiety to peace, but prayer to God is.
Peace can only result when we entrust the heavy burden of our situation to God and let Him deal with it.
So yes, we are told to stand peacefully. However, we cannot do this alone. We need God. And the sooner we realise this, the better.
These are frightening days. The degree of steep moral decline around us is quite terrifying. Ways of life are considered as normal now that would never have been even a generation ago. And each generation just seems to get worse.
So, as Christians, what should we do?
Protesting, picketing and posting will not solve the problem.
In fact, and we have to face this fact, no matter how just the cause or the intention, wrong action will produce only destruction – of the cause of the Gospel as well as our own reputation.
Paul gives the beleaguered Philippian church the answer: they should stand. They should stand firmly, together, joyfully, gently and peacefully. In doing this, they not only are given the power by God to stand, but they also commend the Gospel to their persecutors.
We have much to learn and apply with this teaching.
Others around us might not obey it, but we are not responsible before God for them. The important thing is that we stand.
So, Christian, will you stand up, stand up for Jesus today?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I confess the times when my standing up for You has been aggressive or even combative. I know this is not what You want. I repent of it right now. Teach me what it truly means to stand for You. Amen.
Questions
1. Given the circumstances of the Philippians church, why is it important that Paul tells them to stand, and not attack?
2. What are the five ways Paul tells them to stand? Were any of them surprising for you? Why?
3. How will this teaching change the way you stand for Jesus?
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