Faith to Stand On

The simplicity of the Christmas message is today challenged by the complexity of a godless, even pagan society. In my youth most of society respected the truth of Christianity, even though the majority didn’t choose to walk in the faith. But today the truths of Christianity are largely treated as myths by secular mankind – a generation that has placed themselves on the pedestal of self-idolatry.

A tidal wave, even a tsunami, of hedonistic pressure screams out from our TV screens, has influenced our educators, motivated activists and is growing a society that has no roots in truth. For young people today, remaining strong in the faith is harder than it has ever been. But remaining strong and standing firm in one’s faith is the only way to establish a solid foundation for a life which spans the years of time and reaches into eternity.

Our Scripture for today makes a remarkable, and ever-true assertion, that unless people stand firm in their faith they will not stand at all. For, if you have no faith in God, you have no reason to resist temptation. You have no motivation to fulfil your God-given destiny and are in danger of following an alternative destiny – a destiny that the enemy has mapped out for you, on a journey through life which will take you into many alien diversions. Jesus referred to this as the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).

The Bible may have been side-lined by most of society, but the truths it proclaims are still true. In the verses which follow our Scripture for today, Isaiah prophesies about the coming of the Messiah, Emmanuel, meaning God with us. And his prophesy came true. But the Scriptures also prophesy that this same Messiah, Jesus, will come again – this time to reign as King and take to himself those who have come to Him as Saviour and stood firm in their faith, as they wait for their Redeemer to return.

In this season of Advent we remember both – the first coming and His second coming. I urge you to stand firm in your faith, do not give up, for if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Be ready for when either Jesus comes for you or on that glorious day, He comes again to the whole world.