The advanced Christian, the person who has “attained to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ,” has completed basic preparation, is standing firm, and is ready to be promoted into mature production in the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:57,58.but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not invain in the Lord.
Psalm 16:8.I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 21:7.Some trust in chariots, and some in horses. But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright.
Our being able to stand strong in the faith depends on the Lord.
Psalm 55:22. Cast thy burden on the Lord and He shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 125:1.They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides forever.
Those who stand do not fall back into the ways of the world.
Gal. 5:1.Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Those who stand have a testimony of a strong witness for the Lord.
Phil. 1:27.Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
The Christian who is standing is in unity with other believers
Phil. 2:1,2.Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Eph. 4:13.until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
The standing Christians form the core of a productive local church.
Eph. 4:14-16.As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspectsinto Him who is the head, evenChrist,
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
The standing Christian has confidence in the Lord, expressed in his prayer life.
Phil 4:6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
The standing Christian is always wearing his spiritual armor.
Eph. 6:10-17.Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forcesof wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Additional Bible references to the doctrine of standing:
Psalm 66:8,9.Bless our God, O peoples, And sound His praise abroad,
Who keeps us in life And does not allow our feet to slip.
Prov. 10:30.The righteous will never be shaken, But the wicked will not dwell in the land.
Acts 11:23.Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and beganto encourage them all with resolute heart to remain trueto the Lord;
2 Thess. 2:15. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouthor by letter from us.
Heb. 3:6.but Christ was faithfulas a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
Heb. 10:23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;