COLUMNS

Stand Firm

T.M. Moore

March 20, 2025

When faced with innumerable battles against many vices, against the devil, or against the body, it is essential that you be resolute.

– The Rule of Comghall, Irish, 6th century^[1]

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

– Ephesians 6.13

I like that word, resolute.

The missionary/monks of the Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800 AD) took such words to heart. They were resolute, indeed—even to the point of martyrdom.

The Oxford Dictionary of English defines resolute as “Determinate, decided, positive, absolute, final.” Becoming resolute is thus a function of the conscience, the valuing center of the soul, the locus of the will. If we wish to be resolute in matters of faith, we shall have to work on strengthening our consciences.

Resolute in conscience is not a state we can arrive at on our own power. A secular world seeks to distract us, evil spiritual powers oppose us, and a law of sin within our own souls inclines us toward self-indulgence, weakness, and irresolution in matters of faith and obedience.

We must cry out to the Lord to purify our minds, bolster our hearts, and direct our bodily members so that we resist the devil and hold fast to the path of righteousness.

And we must continually fortify our consciences that they may remain resolute in the face of every temptation or trial.

Fortifying the conscience is daily work. We pursue this work by reading and studying God’s Law. The Law is written on the human heart as an aspect of our being made in the image of God (Rom. 2.14, 15). It is being rewritten there by the Holy Spirit in all who believe (Ezek. 36.26, 27). Indeed, this seems to be a primary function of the Holy Spirit, that He may place in our souls that which He needs to convict us of sin and righteousness (Jn. 16.8-11; cf. Rom. 7.7). The Law teaches us the ways of love (Matt. 22.34-30). When we neglect the Law, not only are our prayers hindered, and we give encouragement to lawlessness, but our love for others grows cold (Prov. 28.9; Prov. 28.4; Matt. 24.12) The more deeply and clearly the Law is inscribed on our heart, the easier it is for the conscience to “read” the works of the Law in any situation (Rom. 2.15).

By consistent reading and meditation in the Law and all God’s Word, reflecting on His glory in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4.6; 3.12-18), and praying at the precise moment resolution is needed, we may draw on the life-giving power of God to help us remain obedient to Christ in every situation (Lev. 18.1-5).

We will never be strong enough in ourselves for the resolution we require. We must look to the Lord, believe and trust in Him, cry out to Him, and take up the armor of the Spirit so that we may, indeed, stand firm in the evil day.

Today more than ever, when faith has become so diluted and merely personalized, we need resolute men and women who will embody in their decisions and actions the righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ alone. When the world begins to see such resolution in the Church, it will believe that somethingmore than merely human ideas is at work within us. And we will know it is the Lord, willing and doing of His good pleasure (Phil. 2.13).

These are uncertain times. We need people of resolution, who can say with confidence, in the Name of the Lord, “This is the way; walk ye in it.”

For Reflection
1. What role does reading and meditating on the Law of God have in your life at present?

2. Jesus said that learning and teaching the Law of God is the way to greatness in His Kingdom (Matt. 5.17-19). Why do you suppose that’s so?

Psalm 55.16-19 (Bread of Life: Break Thou the Bread of Life)
Lord, I will call on You, answer and save!
Noon, morning, evening, too, my voice I raise.
Grant me Your peace, O Lord; answer my foes!
All who reject God’s Word He overthrows.

Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

Good works of God’s Law
Learning God’s Law can be a bit daunting, but our booklet, A Kingdom Catechism, can help. Here are all the commandments and statutes of God arranged in a question-and-answer format for study and remembrance. Learn more and order your copy by clicking here.

Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.