Stand firm by faith

The Bible tells us about an apostle called Paul, who was formerly a persecutor of the church of Jesus Christ, but later became one of the men who worked most for the work of God, and this can be found in the 21 letters that he wrote to different churches. This man really did great works for the church of Christ, and we rejoice in it.

Why start talking about Paul? Well, because the verses that we are going to quote below belong to the letter that he sent to the church of the Corinthians, a church with which he went through several afflictions, for the behavior of some of them. The apostle took the concern of this church about their men, but this never made him desist.

He wrote them:

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

2 Corinthians 1:21-24

The apostle’s purpose for this church was for them to stand firm in Christ Jesus, not to take advantage of them in any sense of the word and for this he wrote it on several occasions: Corinthians, I just want you to stand firm! It’s like a father to a son.

This is our heavenly Father. He wants us to be firm, firm in the faith, firm in what we have believed, to be persevering people, not like the woman of Lot who looked back, but to say together with the apostle Paul: “We are not the ones that go backwards”.

The transformation of Paul is one of the clearest demonstrations of the power of God to change a human life. Once a fierce persecutor—breathing threats, imprisoning Christians, and violently opposing the gospel—Paul became the very messenger who would take the name of Jesus before kings, gentiles, and the entire known world. His testimony is a reminder that no one is beyond God’s grace. The same man who tried to destroy the church ended up building it through his tireless preaching, his sufferings, and the letters that continue edifying the body of Christ to this day.

Among all the churches Paul ministered to, the Corinthians gave him some of the greatest challenges. They struggled with divisions, immorality, pride, confusion about spiritual gifts, and many misunderstandings about Christian living. Yet despite these difficulties, Paul loved them deeply. He corrected them firmly, but always with the heart of a shepherd who longed to see them grow mature in Christ. His letters to the Corinthians reveal a man who was both bold in truth and tender in affection.

In this passage from 2 Corinthians 1, Paul reminds them that it is God—not human effort—who makes believers stand firm in Christ. This truth is central to the Christian life. Strength, perseverance, and faithfulness do not come from us but from God who anoints, seals, and empowers His children. The seal of the Holy Spirit is the divine guarantee that we belong to Him and that He will complete the work He has begun in us. What a glorious assurance!

Paul also explains why he had not returned to Corinth as he intended. His decision was not due to lack of love or fear of confrontation but to spare them. He wanted his coming to be a blessing, not a moment of harsh rebuke. This shows the tenderness of his pastoral heart. He did not want to dominate their faith but to work alongside them for their joy. True spiritual leadership always pursues the joy, growth, and stability of God’s people—not personal power.

The apostle’s desire was simple and pure: “Stand firm.” He repeats this message throughout his writings because spiritual stability is essential in a world filled with temptation, persecution, and deception. Like a father warning his children, Paul pleads with the Corinthians to remain steadfast and grounded in the truth of Christ.

And just as Paul wanted firmness for the Corinthians, our heavenly Father desires the same for us. God does not delight in unstable, wavering believers. He calls us to perseverance, to endurance, to unwavering faith. He wants us to look forward, not backward—unlike Lot’s wife, whose longing for the world cost her everything. Instead, He wants us to echo the words of Paul: “We are not of those who shrink back.”

Dear believer, God Himself has sealed you, strengthened you, and placed His Spirit within you. Stand firm. Do not be moved by trials. Do not retreat when the path becomes difficult. Persevere, for the One who called you is faithful. And as Paul partnered with the Corinthians for their joy, God walks with you daily so that your joy may be full and your faith unshakable.