Monday: “Stand Fast in the Lord”
Daily Lesson for Monday 9th of February 2026
Read Philippians 3:20-21. How does Paul vividly describe what Christian “citizenship” looks like?
Unlike the enemies of the Cross, who “set their mind on earthly things” and have no greater god than their bellies (Philippians 3:19), Christian citizenship is in heaven, and our ruler is Jesus Christ Himself.
Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com
To underscore the point, Paul highlights the need for “these humble bodies of ours” (Philippians 3:21, NET), subject to disease, deterioration, and death, to be transformed to be like Christ’s glorious resurrection body.
How do the following passages describe the glorified state?
• Job 19:25-27
• Luke 24:39
• 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
• 1 Corinthians 15:50-54
• Colossians 3:4
In the end, through Jesus, death, “the last enemy,” will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). And that is our greatest hope, the ultimate promise that we have been given in Jesus—not only the end of death but a whole new body, even a “glorious body” (Philippians 3:21, ESV).
In a book about how to find “salvation” without God, which argued, rather foolishly, that overcoming the fear of death is “salvation,” author Luc Ferry does admit that Christianity “enables us not only to transcend the fear of death, but also to beat death itself. And by doing so in terms of individual identity, rather than anonymity or abstraction, it seems to be the only version that offers a truly definitive victory of personal immortality over our condition as mortals.”—Ferry, A Brief History of Thought (New York: HarperCollins, 2011, Kindle edition), p. 90. Quite an admission, coming from an atheist.
Thus, for Paul, our heavenly citizenship includes the promise of the resurrection and eternal life in a whole new existence that we can barely imagine now.
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Why is the promise of eternal life so crucial to all that we believe? What could this world possibly offer that’s worth forfeiting what Christ offers us? |
My citizenship is rather quirky and when I try to explain it to people, they often get confused. You see, I live in Australia and have an Australian wife, kids, and grandkids. But I am not an Australian citizen. The quirky thing is that I vote in Australian elections and in fact I could be fined for not voting. The reason is that when I came to Australia in the 1960s Australians and New Zealanders were British subjects as part of the last thros of the old colonial system. I gained entry to Australia without a passport or visa. I distinctly remember the border control officer looking at my boyish face when I disembarked off the boat from NZ and telling me that Aussies and Kiwis are all the same. British subjects irrespective of their country of origin were given the franchise to vote in Australia if they were resident here. In the mid 1980s someone got the bright idea that this system was outdated and that only Australian citizens should have the right to vote. However, in a gesture of good will, the government decided that those of us who had the franchise under the previous arrangement should retain it for life. So here I am living in a country which is not my own, taking part in its affairs but owing my allegiance to another country. (Incidentally I have lost the right to vote in New Zealand because I am not resident there – I would need to live there for 6 months to gain full citizen rights again)
I think that this illustrates the situation that we Christians find ourselves in. We are citizens of the heavenly kingdom, but we are resident in the earthly kingdom where we have the responsibility of making a difference.
In this context I would like to consider what Paul wrote to the Philippians:
Is our heavenly citizenship empowering us to make a difference in our residential kingdom or are we content to hide our true citizenship?
The gospel of Jesus Christ as narrated in the Bible is not simply a great story with a good ending. This is not a story which sweet-talks the life of pain as we know into simplistic happiness. This is life eternal. Paul was willing to lose everything for the sake of this gospel. Paul was aware that the gospel of Jesus is very costly and painful, but yet he was willing to pay the price. “Take up your cross and follow me.” (Luke 9:23).The gospel does not promise easy life, but the ultimate outcome (eternal life) is worth every sacrifice. Knowing of its priceless value, Paul is telling us to hold fast and never give up whatever the cost. “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.” (1 Corinthians 15:2).
Since Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road, he absolutely fell in love with Jesus and His gospel. He strongly admonishes us to hold fast to this gospel no matter the cost.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8: 35, NKJV).
Paul is not a fanatic when he tells us to be ready even to lose our lives for the sake of the gospel. He is simply saying that beyond this life there is another life which is more glorious. Therefore, this life is not all what there is.
”That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT).
Till then, let us hold fast, He who promised is ever faithful, yes, Dear Jesus, come quickly.
Omwenga Mwambi, I appreciated what you have written this morning. It is like the devotional readings we used to have in the Morning Watch (Does the Church still publish that?) My question is this: You use the expresson “Hold fast” a couple of times and I would like you to tell me the sort of experience you have in “holding fast”. It is easy to say “Hold fast to Jesus” and “Hold fast to the Gospel” What is the real life experience of “Holding fast”?
I am an old man and one could say that I have held fast. I have weathered some of the conflicts in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, my perception of “holding fast” is that sometimes it has meant letting go of some things that I felt were things I should hold onto. My percetion of holding fast has changed with age. Tell me about your experience of holding fast – not just a series of quotes but life experiences. Sharing helps!
This is sweet and well said
Paul is informing us in today’s lesson, that there is an ultimate reward in emulating our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – our ultimate role model in all things.
Hebrew 12:1-3 says,
1. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2. looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls –
Here is the practical summary of today’s lesson as was evident in the life of Jesus Christ.
Sinless living, perseverance in pains, resurrection from death and glorification in heaven, were all examplified in the life of Christ, and This is a reality that should make us reassess our approach to life and our association with people here.
As citizens of heaven we need to invest more time and resources in the things that will draws us closer to our home, things like:
1. Bible study,
2. Singing praises to God always,
3. Praying without ceasing,
4. Showing kindness to our neighbors and
5. Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ sermon on the mount, in Matt. 5:29,30 – 29. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
30. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell –
Jesus did not order us to mutilate our bodies in order to make heaven but emphasised the fact that we should endeavor to make sure that nothing no matter how important should make us lose our focus to heaven, the metaphor also illustrates the fact that this present body is not needed in heaven as it will be changed.
Jephthah Erondu, Read my reply to Omwega Mwambi. I would like to hear some personal experience from you too.
Sir, I actually have a lot but will like to share one experience that have stuck with me for a very long time now.
Some years ago I served as the district personal ministry’s leader and by God’s grace and help we started two branch Sabbath Schools within the two years of my service. The second branch we started was fraught with membership challenges – our members living around the church location demanded a permanent position but we could only afford to rent a school hall and so they deserted the branch Sabbath School. Not wanting to let our efforts to waste away, I decided to worship at the new branch. We started off with three nucleus members, had tough times and I ended up leading the church for seven years. Thank God the church of God is still marching on and we hope that one day we will get our permanent worship site.
I don’t know if this qualifies as holding fast but one thing is sure, I’ve not attained and still struggling with faith threatening issues but God is helping me to forge ahead with hopes of doing more service for our Master Jesus.
Thank you sir.
Thank you for that response Jepthah. Keeping a congregation going is often a “holding fast” exercise. I have happy memories of visiting a church with a resident population of 2 and a visiting population of 10. The two faithful sisters made everyone feel welcome. Thank you for your reminder of the importance of practical faith. I hope others have ecperiences they are willing to share with us as well.
I pray God to empower us to do more service for him and help us to hold fast till Jesus comes, amen.
God be praised!!!
Thank you Elder Maurice!!!
The world philosophy is that we are only as good as our latest achievement, our latest car, or our bank statement, our position and standing in society. However, Paul flips this philosophy in 1 Thessalonians 3:8 with a simple and profound truth: “For now we live, if you are standing fast IN the LORD.”
Paul doesn’t say, “You live if you are promoted, or if your TikTok or even X accounts increases followers and likes, not even when your income increases.” Not at all, but he insists on STANDING FAST IN the LORD — that is final. It is the real deal, the ultimate goal and the big win! As much as having a good job, a lovely family besides a good and comfortable life are by all standards worthy achievements, Paul reminds us that these achievements are like the icing on the cake but not the real cake.
Paul insists that standing fast IN Him is the only place we can find our true life and our real purpose on earth. The real deal is not on temporary goals we set or even fleeting success on earth; these are more of distractions, but on our relationship with God. Thus, we need to reevaluate our priorities to ensure we are on course with the One who gives true life, implying that standing fast in the Lord is not just like another item we need to tick, but it is the very reason we breathe and core to our existence.
As much as most Christians do not like conflicts, however, by becoming a Christian we are right in the middle of conflict. Paul advises that opposition and conflict will always be in the shadows, ready to aggressively test our faith. He further noted that it is in the face of hostility that we must keep our eyes on the Lord by being steadfast — 1 Corinthians 10:12. History is full of examples of people who have fallen before: Lot, David, Samson, Peter, Demas, among others, pointing to the need not to take for granted our own battles. This is the need to have our focus on Christ alone: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
To my understanding of the Scriptures, eternal life begins here and now-( John 17:3 ) . Eternal life is not only length of life ( for death is but a sleep-John 11:11) but also quality of life – Galatians 5:22-23 NIV. It therefore presents the perspective of living life to the max here and now , for in a sense, heaven has begun in our hearts.
We need a new world because this world has failed us. We allowed Satan to inhabit and rule it.Becoming a citizen of this new world requires us to change and transform our mind,hearts and our whole being to conform to the holiness and righteousness of this new world. This is not an easy task but for the benefits of becoming a citizen of a country you love, you count the stress for nothing. I am speaking out of experience.The interesting part is that the blessings of our future citizenship begins the moment we accept Jesus into our lives and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit in our walk with Him.
Our progress report:
1.”Open my eyes that I might see”.
2. Sitting at the feet of Jesus.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus.
4. “Unto Him who is able to keep us from falling”.
5. Daily walking close to Thee, let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
6. Run the race, knowing that you don’t need to win. Every one that finishes the race gets the same prize! Eternal life.
The lesson writer asks: “What could this world possibly offer that’s worth forfeiting what Christ offers us?”
To answer this question, I suggest to read again what Lucifer offered when he tempted Adam and Eve –
Gen.3:3-5 –
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the women. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God; knowing good and evil.”
What is the definition of eternal life –
John 17:3
”Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
The world cannot offer anything. What it does provide is the stage on which we live our life to get to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven by God’s Grace through faith. Then, in our new body, we will live eternally, knowing both intimately.
Christ cares about our present and future. He wants us to be happy here and now. But the worldly definition of happiness (money, power, and pleasure) conflicts with what truly satisfies us. Jesus presented a different meaning of success: love! And His most intense demonstration of love has to do with death! He died here so that we could live eternally!