SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1335

“Steadfast”

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23

The Word of God has much to say about steadfastness. To be steadfast is to be resolutely firm and unwavering.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations – Deuteronomy 7:9

My house in Atlanta was sinking. The clay soil beneath the foundation was giving way and to keep the house from collapsing, the foundation had to be underpinned with piers that penetrated deep down to reach solid bedrock. In like manner, for our ‘spiritual house’ to remain steadfast requires that our faith be firmly underpinned with the pillars of the Word of God on the solid rock of Jesus.

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” – Matthew 7:24-27

Jesus is Steadfast in His Love. Jesus was resolute and unwavering in His purpose: He died for us – can we be steadfast in our faith and live for Him?

They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. – Psalm 78:35-37

This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. – Matthew 15:8-9

Steadfast in Temptation. Can we be resolute and unwavering in following Christ when tempted to sin? Do we love our flesh more than Jesus? Do we disgrace His grace by choosing willful sin, thinking we can repent and be forgiven later?

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. – James 1:14

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. – Proverbs 4:14-15

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

Steadfast in Trials – Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that we will have trials in this world. He also encourages us stating that we need to take heart because He has overcome the world. We also are overcomers when we steadfastly abide in Him.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2-4

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12

Steadfast in Trust – Our trust will not be shaken when we are steadfast in our relationship with Jesus.

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 112:7

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Steadfast in Faith – We will not be tossed about by false doctrines when we are resolute and unwavering in the reading, praying, and study of the Word of God.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. – 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:24

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. – Ephesians 4:14

Steadfast in Hope – Jesus is the steadfast anchor of our soul. Hold fast to Him.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain – Hebrews 6:19

Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard – Colossians 1:22-23

Steadfast in Purpose – Steadfastness supplements our faith, making it effective to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:3-8

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

May you be resolutely firm and unwavering in your walk with Jesus – in the world, but not conformed to it.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 3:5