Steadfast in Faith: Navigating Challenges and Prioritizing Jesus

As Christians, how we present ourselves to Jesus upon His return (or our return to Him) matters greatly. As believers who have been granted eternal life, it's imperative to consider how we remain unmoved by the world until the return of Jesus Christ. But how do we achieve this steadfastness, and how do we aspire to be found by Him?

Colossians 1:3–6 tells us, “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth.”

Paul's letter to the church in Colossae serves as an encouragement to persevere in doing good. Their faith in Christ Jesus is not merely a passive belief but an active force that reverberates and is recognized by Paul. This faith is impactful, manifesting in their love for all the saints. Their growth in faith produces a tangible love for others, reflecting their growing love for God.

Furthermore, their hope in the heavenly promises serves as a driving force for their faith and love. This hope propels them forward, anchoring their hearts amidst life's trials and uncertainties. As a result, they are constantly bearing fruit, exemplifying virtues such as kindness and goodness in their lives.

In essence, the church in Colossae is depicted as a growing community deeply rooted in their faith in Jesus. Just like a fruitful tree, their outward manifestations of love and virtue are indicative of their deep spiritual grounding. Their growth is not merely superficial but stems from their unwavering hope and trust in Christ.

However, difficult times inevitably arise, bringing with them various challenges. Yet, the true test lies in persevering through these trials, in continuing to grow in Christ, and remaining deeply rooted in Him. The challenge for all believers is to persevere in their good works and to remain steadfast until the day of the Lord. It's a call to resilience, unwavering commitment, and steadfast faithfulness in the face of adversity.

Colossians 1:21–23 writes, “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”

How will you be presented to Christ? It's a crucial question that speaks to the core of our faith and our journey as believers. According to Scripture, we are called to be holy, blameless, and beyond reproach in Christ. 

In our position, we are already considered holy, blameless, and beyond reproach through our identity in Christ. However, in our condition, we are called to live out these qualities in our daily lives. This process of sanctification is ongoing and requires our active participation. While none of us can achieve perfection in this life, we are called to strive for holiness, to live blamelessly, and to conduct ourselves in a manner that is beyond reproach.

But how will Christ find us when He returns? Will He find us faithful, diligently pursuing holiness and righteousness? Will He find us growing in our commitment to Him, becoming increasingly blameless and beyond reproach in our actions and character?

The condition for achieving this lies in continuing in the faith and remaining steadfast in our hope in Christ. Despite the challenges, opposition, and temptations that we may face, we are called to remain unmoved, abiding in Christ and clinging to the hope of the gospel.

How we finish our earthly journey matters immensely, as it defines our eternal legacy. While earthly accomplishments may fade away, our legacy in Christ carries eternal significance. Everything we do in His name, every act of faithfulness, every step taken in obedience, bears eternal fruit and contributes to our eternal legacy. Therefore, let us press on, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith, knowing that our labor in Him is never in vain.

Colossians 1:9–12 tells us, “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”

Being filled with the knowledge of God's will isn't a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. Paul's prayer for the Church in Colossae emphasizes the need for believers to continuously deepen their relationship with Jesus.

To be "filled" implies an ongoing process of understanding Christ. The more we seek Him, the better we understand His will and connect with His heart.

Attaining this state requires a constant pursuit of Jesus in every aspect of our lives:

• When reading the Bible, approach it with eagerness to learn more about Jesus.
• Prayer shouldn't just be about personal security but a way to know Jesus better.
• Church attendance should be more than a ritual; it's an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Jesus.
• Every action should reflect a desire to glorify His name.
• In tough times, seeking Jesus can offer insight and comfort.

Understanding God's will deepens our connection with Him, fostering a rootedness that strengthens us through life's trials. This rootedness enables us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, striving to please Him in every aspect of our lives. As Christians, bearing the name of Christ isn't merely symbolic of eternity but a daily commitment to honor Him. Are we effectively representing Christ in our actions? Let's endeavor to walk in a manner that brings glory to the Lord, recognizing His deserving of our best efforts.

Additionally, as we deepen our roots in Jesus through consistent seeking and understanding, we bear fruit in every good work and grow in our knowledge of God. Just as a tree bears fruit when deeply rooted, our lives yield kindness, goodness, gentleness, and more as we grow in our relationship with Jesus.

In John 15:4–5, Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in Him, comparing Himself to the vine and believers to branches. Just as branches cannot bear fruit unless connected to the vine, we cannot produce lasting fruit without remaining connected to Jesus. He is the source of our strength; apart from Him, our efforts are futile.

The challenge before us is clear: the world often lures us away from our pursuit of Jesus with enticing distractions. As society evolves, it bombards us with various temptations that divert our attention from knowing Jesus. The more we prioritize the world over Jesus, the more we find ourselves conforming to worldly standards.

The vital question we must ask ourselves is: What do we consistently prioritize in our lives? To stand firm, we must be filled with the knowledge of Jesus!

True power comes only through Christ. It is by abiding in Him that we can overcome the world. Without Christ, we cannot stand firm. We must abide in Him to remain steadfast and bear abundant fruit for His glory. Our true strength lies in Jesus!

What fruits will we present to Jesus? Will our lives bear the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Will our ministry yield fruit for Jesus? Will we disciple others, leading them to faith?

Whatever we present to Jesus holds significance. He is worthy of our best efforts!