Staying True To God
“... stay true to the Lord.”
Philippians 4:1a(NLT)
As Christ followers, we are swimming against the cultural tide to stay true to God. Every day, we face pressures and temptations to compromise our convictions and drift in our faith. One of the apostle Paul’s own missionary team members drifted. Demas was a companion and partner in ministry along with Timothy, Luke, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Mark, and so many others. Yet when Paul was imprisoned, he writes in 2 Timothy 4:10 (NLT), “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life….” If we are being honest, that could happen to any one of us. The things of this life offer a magnetic appeal to our flesh. I find warning and wise counsel in what 1 Corinthians 10:12 (MSG) says, “Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.”
How do you stay true to God? Concerned that Christ followers in Philippi may wander from the faith, Paul writes this closing challenge to them, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord....” Philippians 4:1 (NLT)
With that challenge, he gives practical counsel as to how to stay true to God:
First, keep our focus on Jesus and remember that this world is not our home. Whenever the Bible uses the word “Therefore…” as in Philippians 4:1, you need to look back to the previous verses to get a clearer meaning of the passage. When you look back to Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT), Paul says, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.” We can stay true to God when we keep our focus on Jesus and remember that this world is not our home. One day, Jesus is coming back and will bring everything under His control. Don’t give up. Stay true to the Lord. It will be worth it all!
Second, we can stay true when we pray about everything. In Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT), he adds, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Third, guard your thoughts by thinking about the right things. In Philippians 4:8 (NLT), the Bible says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” We fix our thoughts when we think about the right things, things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. You can’t do that if you’re fixing your thoughts on the news all day.
Fourth, learn to be content. In Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT), he offers a personal tip that has helped him stay true to God. He says, “I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Did you catch that? Contentment is not something acquired naturally. It is a learned character trait. When all that he had was Christ, he learned that Christ was enough. Our needs drive us to Christ. Too often all the blessings can become a distraction, and we become more grateful for the blessings than the Blesser.
Let’s be honest. Because we all have an Adam’s suit, our hearts are prone to wander. Staying true to God won’t happen by accident. Nothing good does. That’s why they call it an accident. Be vigilant. Keep your focus on the one thing that changes everything – Jesus Christ. Until He returns, continue in prayer. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Fix your thoughts because your mind, like your body, is fallen and broken. And learn to be content. We can do this. We can stay true to God through Christ, who gives us strength! But if you have wandered away, confess that to God right now and return. Let Him restore your soul and get you back on track. He’s the God of another chance!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.