Matters of Faith

Reverend J. Loren Russell

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV)

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” – NKJV

To stand is not exceptional for the Christian—it is expected. It is not extraordinary to stand firm in faith, to go where others dare not go, to speak what others are afraid to say, or to live visibly as an ambassador for Christ. This is normal Christianity. And yet, though it is not exceptional, it is increasingly rare. 

Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica with a clear and urgent charge: stand fast. His words still confront us today, because he reminds us that our faith was never meant to take a seat—it was meant to take a stand. We were not given a “sit-down faith.” We were given a faith that stands up, speaks out, and holds on.

When Paul says, “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught,” he is calling believers to cling tightly to the truth of God’s Word—whether it was taught in person or written in a letter. Truth is our anchor. The Word is our source of clarity, accuracy, and power. Without it, we drift. With it, we endure.

And endurance is exactly what is required during times of trouble and trial…, in seasons of suffering and sorrow…, through persecution or poverty…, in unemployment and uncertainty…, in heartbreak, sickness, and overwhelming circumstances – we are charged to stand.

The world will try to seat us with fear, silence us with pressure, and distract us with comfort. But we must remember: if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

Whether loved or hated, blessed or cursed, embraced or opposed, we stand on the promise that we were chosen for this moment. Someone loved us enough to take a stand—and to die—so that we could live. Now we honor that sacrifice by standing firm in faith.

Persecuted or prospered. Abused or advanced. Broken or blessed.
Homeless or heroic. An inmate or an investor. Sick or well. In every condition, the call remains the same: stand.

Scripture declares that when we suffer for doing what is right, it is commendable before God (1 Peter 2:20). Faith that stands is faith that endures—and faith that endures is faith that glorifies God.

Tomorrow, we will celebrate the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who was not afraid to take a stand. In the face of tormentors, systemic racism, segregation, threats of physical injury and death, economic oppression, and even ridicule and rejection from members of his own community, he stood firm. He stood when it was dangerous. He stood when it was costly. He stood when it was lonely.

And isn’t it ironic that many of his detractors and persecutors—especially those who lived long after his assassination—came to regret their position? That is exactly what James was talking about when he wrote, “They will be ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good.” (James 2:13, paraphrased)

Dr. King was willing to declare, loud and clear, that hate and racism have no place in a society founded on the truth that all people are created equal. His stand was not rooted in politics alone—it was rooted in faith, in truth, and in the unshakable conviction that justice is God’s idea.

So today, we are challenged to make up our minds to stand firm in faith, to grip the truth tightly, and to hold fast to what we have been taught – because in the end, we have only two choices:

We either stand for our faith—or we sit because of foolishness.

Be Blessed!