Standing Firm in Faith When the World Opposes Us

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Standing Firm in Faith When the World Opposes Us

Contending for the Word Q&A with Dave Jenkins
Faithfulness, Perseverance, Opposition

Episode Summary

In this Contending for the Word Q&A episode, Dave Jenkins answers the question,
“How can we remain steadfast in faith when the world opposes us?”

Opposition takes many forms today, misunderstanding from family, pressure at work, online slander,
isolation, and at times even persecution. Scripture does not promise an easy path or universal applause
for obedience, yet it does promise that the Lord keeps His people, strengthens His people, and finishes
the work He began in them.

Drawing from Hebrews 10 verse 23 and related passages, Dave walks through four anchors that help Christians
remain steadfast in a hostile age, fixing our eyes on Christ, anchoring ourselves in God’s promises,
walking with God’s people, and remembering our future hope.

Listen to the Episode

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Key Scriptures

  • Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
  • Hebrews 12:1–2 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
  • 1 Peter 1:6–7 Trials test and refine our faith so that it results in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
  • Selected promises “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “My grace is sufficient for you.” “Whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.”

Episode Highlights

  • Why the Bible is honest about opposition and suffering in the Christian life.
  • How Hebrews 10 verse 23 anchors our confidence in the faithfulness of God rather than in our own strength.
  • Four anchors for steadfastness, looking to Christ, holding to God’s promises, walking with God’s people, and remembering our future hope.
  • Why isolation increases temptation and discouragement and why believers need faithful local churches and pastors.
  • How eternal glory puts present hostility and opposition in proper perspective.

Full Article

Opposition to the Christian faith is not a new problem. From the earliest pages of Scripture to the present
day, the people of God have faced misunderstanding, pressure, ridicule, and persecution. The Bible does not
promise an easy life for those who follow Christ. It does not promise that obedience will always be applauded
or that faithfulness will be comfortable.

Yet the Bible does promise something far better. The Lord promises to keep His people, to strengthen His people,
and to finish the good work that He began in them. The question is not whether there will be opposition.
The question is how we will respond when it comes.

Hebrews 10 verse 23 gives us a clear call and a sure foundation, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” We are called to hold fast, to cling to the confession of our
hope in Christ without wavering. The reason we can do this is not that our grip is so strong, but that the One who
promised is faithful. Our confidence is not finally in our hold on Christ, but in Christ’s hold on us.

1. Remaining Steadfast by Fixing Our Eyes on Christ

Steadfast faith begins with a steadfast gaze. Hebrews 12 verses 1 and 2 calls us to run the race set before us
by “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” If we stare more at our opposition than at our Savior,
fear will grow and courage will fade. Our problems will begin to look bigger than the power and mercy of Christ.

When we look to Christ, we remember His suffering and faithfulness. He endured hostility from sinners.
He bore our sin and shame. He rose again and now intercedes for His people. He is present with us by His Spirit
and He is returning for us. Steadfastness does not come from looking within for inner strength. It comes from
looking to Jesus Himself, who never fails His own.

2. Remaining Steadfast by Anchoring Ourselves in God’s Promises

Hebrews 10 verse 23 tells us that we hold fast because “He who promised is faithful.” God’s promises do not expire
when opposition increases. His Word does not become less true when obedience becomes costly. His faithfulness is not
fragile and His grace is not thin.

We fight unbelief by clinging to the promises of God. The Lord says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
He says, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Jesus declares that all whom the Father has given to Him will come to Him
and that whoever comes to Him He will never cast out. Steadfastness grows as we trust that God will be to us
exactly who He has said He will always be.

3. Remaining Steadfast by Walking with God’s People

The Christian life is not a solo project. Hebrews 10 verses 24 and 25 continue the thought of verse 23,
calling us to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together,
but encouraging one another, and all the more as we see the Day drawing near.

Opposition often isolates. Discouragement tempts us to withdraw.
Yet believers are not meant to stand firm alone. We need pastors, biblically qualified men who preach the Word
and shepherd our souls. We need godly friends who will pray with us and for us. We need brothers and sisters who
will remind us of the gospel when we are weary. The Christian who tries to stand alone is a Christian who is most
vulnerable to collapse.

God uses His people to keep His people. As we gather with the local church, sit under faithful preaching, share
in the Lord’s Table, and walk in fellowship, the Lord strengthens us to endure.

4. Remaining Steadfast by Remembering Our Future Hope

Finally, we remain steadfast by remembering our future hope in Christ. First Peter 1 verses 6 and 7 teaches that
our trials have come so that the tested genuineness of our faith may be found to result in praise and glory and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ. This world is not the finish line. This season is not the full story.

Every act of faithfulness, every resisted temptation, every tear shed in obedience to Christ is seen and kept by Him.
None of it is wasted. Christ will return. Justice will be done. Faith will be vindicated. We will see our Savior
face to face. Eternal glory puts present opposition in proper perspective.

Standing Firm in the Strength of the Lord

So how can we remain steadfast in faith when the world stands against us. We stand by fixing our eyes on Christ,
by anchoring ourselves in the promises of God, by walking closely with God’s people, and by remembering our certain
hope in the return of Christ.

You may feel weary today, misunderstood, or alone. You may be tempted to compromise to make life easier.
Friend, Jesus sees, He knows, and He cares. Bring your fears to the Lord in prayer. Open His Word and cling to His
promises. Draw near to others in your local church. Ask other believers to stand with you, to pray for you, and to
remind you of the truth of Scripture.

God is not asking you to be naturally strong. He is calling you to lean on His strength.
We remain steadfast by standing in the strength of the Lord, grounded in His Word, surrounded by His people,
and anchored in the hope of His coming.

Takeaways and Reflection Questions

  1. Where are you currently feeling pressure or opposition for your faith, and how does Hebrews 10 verse 23 speak into that situation.
  2. Are you spending more time looking at your problems or looking to Christ. What would it look like this week to fix your eyes more intentionally on Him.
  3. Which promises of God do you most need to remember and pray through right now.
  4. Are you walking closely with a faithful local church and with godly friends, or have you drifted toward isolation.
  5. How does remembering your future hope in Christ reshape the way you view present trials and hostility.

Stay Connected

If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing to the Contending for the Word Q&A podcast,
leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend who needs biblical encouragement to stand firm in a hostile world.

For more from Contending for the Word Q&A please visit our page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.

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