Commentary: Now is the time to hold fast and stand firm

Lawrence Smith

What would God have each of us do to defend the faith and speak the truth?”

1 Corinthians 15:1–2

[1] Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

[2] and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. (ESV)

For most of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is correcting the doctrine and practice of the church in Corinth which was being heavily influenced by the pagan culture surrounding it.

But, in chapter 15, Paul makes an abrupt turn, as if he has decided the necessity of taking the church back to the basics.

The apostle reminds the church of the importance of being grounded in and standing on the essentials of the faith — the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is also where church finds itself today.

We have lost several giants of the faith in recent weeks; Voddie Baucham, Charlie Kirk, John MacArthur, James Dobson.

Many in Christian circles are now asking the question, “Who is going to step up to try and fill the shoes of these men?”

Indeed, God may raise up other men to replace them. But, as I think about it, we may be asking the wrong question. The question should not be, “Who is going to replace these men?” Instead, the question should be, “How can God use me.”

What would God have each of us do to defend the faith and speak the truth? The answer to the question about who can replace these giant figures — is all of us.

As I watched the highlights of Charlie Kirk’s funeral, I became convinced that the days of lukewarm, shallow Christianity are over.

I think people, especially young people, who have been reared in a secular culture that is confused about the basics of even manhood and womanhood, are hungering for something solid and deep. After being told for their entire lives that there is no truth, they are hungering for THE truth. And for us to be able to speak truth into our culture, we must be grounded in that truth.

Each of us must follow Paul’s instruction to the Corinthian church and be prepared to stand in a firm but gracious way on biblical truth.

As Paul told the Corinthians, the person and work of Jesus is of “first importance.” And we, as followers of Christ, must be prepared to articulate it and defend it.

It’s a priority repeated by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3:

[14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

[15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (ESV)

Let’s honor the memories of Baucham, Kirk, MacArthur and Dobson not so much by admiration but by imitation.

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