I love a good war movie. There are three or four that I watch every year. I enjoy them for their action, history, and the reminder of the sacrifice given by those so that my family and I live in freedom. Perhaps one of the most iconic lines that comes from just about any war movie, is “Hold the line.” In the movie “Gettysburg,” Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin was told to hold the line at Little Round Top, for he was the left flank. They held the line, eventually defeating the charge by the South, playing a pivotal role in securing a Union victory of not just the battle, but the Civil War. Or from the series Band of Brothers, where Easy Company was told to hold the line at Foy during the Battle of the Bulge. It was a critical victory that hastened the defeat of Axis powers by the Allies. Battle is scary. Getting shot at is not fun. But you stand firm anyway and do your duty.
It is said courage is not about being unafraid, but it is acting or standing firm despite it. The early Christians faced this kind of fear. Many were dying for their faith. That persecution still exists. In many countries, it truly is a matter of life or death, yet they hold on to their trust and proclamation of Christ. We are blessed here in the United States to still have the freedom to practice our faith, but we are slowly being forced to choose. Paul was facing wrongful persecution…and prosecution...for that matter, but yet he stayed strong against those who opposed him. I’m sure he was scared, but his trust in God did not fault or waiver. Paul was encouraging the Philippians to be the same. He didn’t say “if they oppose you” but those “who do oppose you.” Christian, the world opposes truth. Therefore, it opposes Christ. It’s not “if” but “when.” Being frightened is a God-given emotion. What Paul is saying is don’t be frightened to the point of inaction. That by standing firm they have already lost. That we will be saved, and that by God. As Paul wrote in the book of Romans, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Stand firm!
It is said courage is not about being unafraid, but it is acting or standing firm despite it. The early Christians faced this kind of fear. Many were dying for their faith. That persecution still exists. In many countries, it truly is a matter of life or death, yet they hold on to their trust and proclamation of Christ. We are blessed here in the United States to still have the freedom to practice our faith, but we are slowly being forced to choose. Paul was facing wrongful persecution…and prosecution...for that matter, but yet he stayed strong against those who opposed him. I’m sure he was scared, but his trust in God did not fault or waiver. Paul was encouraging the Philippians to be the same. He didn’t say “if they oppose you” but those “who do oppose you.” Christian, the world opposes truth. Therefore, it opposes Christ. It’s not “if” but “when.” Being frightened is a God-given emotion. What Paul is saying is don’t be frightened to the point of inaction. That by standing firm they have already lost. That we will be saved, and that by God. As Paul wrote in the book of Romans, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Stand firm!