Standing fast

Paul loves the Philippians with a heartfelt and readily-expressed affection. He desires the best and dreads the possibility of drift and decline. He therefore exhorts them to stand fast in the Lord. To stand in the Lord is the Christian's security and happiness, for this is their life. To stand fast in the Lord is their necessary activity, lest they be swept away by the pressures and persecutions of a sinful world and the enemy of their souls. Our incitement and motivation for this steadfast believing and living lies in the city to which we belong, the Christ for whom we wait, and the transformation we expect.