Grapevine Home Page                                                    Teachings Home Page

 

The Grapevine
Number 128                                                                      
May 27, 2006
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

Stand Your Ground
by Jack Northart

One of my father's favorite expressions when he was trying to emphasize how committed he was to an idea or plan, was the expression, "I'd stake my life on it!" He meant that he would follow the plan or idea through until it was completed. Many people still use this expression today, many times without understanding one of it's origins.

Dog Soldiers were a warrior society of the Cheyenne Tribe. They were noted as highly aggressive and effective combatants. One "tradition" states that in battle they would pin or stake themselves to a "chosen" piece of ground, by an unusually long leather thong or strap. This would be attached to their ankle on one end, and on the other they would attach one of three "sacred arrows" or "stakes" that they would constantly carry into battle, and pound it into the ground where they intended to do battle. They would defend that piece of ground, or die trying. As a result of their success in battle, they would wear colorful sashes that would flow in the wind behind them as they rode their horses. Those who had fought against them, called them the "Sash Wearers." They were greatly feared for their fierceness, success and courage.

The commitment of this magnitude in Christianity is rarely noticed or talked about in our day, however it is certainly something that bears our attention and consideration.

I Corinthians 4:1-2
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

In order to be proven to be worthy of trust, a man must be faithful. A man that runs and hides at the first sign of trouble, cannot be trusted. However, a man that continues to stand his ground for God under any and all conditions and circumstances, can be trusted with the great mysteries and truths of God.

II Timothy 2:1-2
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

To be a faithful man means that a person is steadfastly devoted, with unswerving allegiance to the One true God. This person has unshakeable attachment, and because of this, they can be trusted to stand. However, a person will not stand without something to stand for. To this end, the faithful must put an all-out effort into a trusted devotion to God and His Word.

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.

A workman of the Word of God can rightly divide the Word of Truth. He's not a spoon-fed individual who has to have his spiritual food pre-chewed for him everyday by someone else. He has worked it for himself and is able to rightly divide and teach others how to do the same. This he does faithfully over and over again. His efforts, devotions and loyalty, stem from rightly dividing the Word of Truth. As he commits himself to this work, God, in-turn commits the great mysteries to him.

We are not in a physical battle with the enemies of God. The battle is spiritual and it is real.

Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

God has given every believer the power over the enemy. His boundless might is within all of us as Christians. However, we must stand; we must put on the whole armor; we must act and not cower. The crafty devices of the devil are all around us. They appear as good ideas; they appear as the status quo; they appear as commandments and doctrines of men. The world is ruled by these evil hell hounds, and most of the secular world is set up to promote their deceit and lies. This is the battle that we fight. It is not a physical battle, but a battle of the mind; and who will win these battles is determined by who stands and who runs.

Verse 14
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We stand our ground, staking our lives on the truth of God's Word.

I Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

A few years ago, I had to do something that was very difficult for me to do. My sister had asked me to come to where my mother was living; the house I grew up in, and take my mother to a nursing home where she could be properly cared for. I knew that my mom would not like this plan, but it had to be done. I wrestled with it for a couple of months in my mind, until one day, another Christian believer said to me that I needed to act like a man, and make this tough decision, and then follow through with it. That gave me courage for someone to tell me to take courage and act. This is what God is saying to us in verse 13. "Be a Man! Be Strong!"

It's a good fight that we fight. God is on our side and we need to simply stand and trust in His promises. He will see to it that we get our just rewards.

Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.