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We might infer from magazines and newspapers that orthodoxy, or steadfastness in faith, is becoming very unpopular. But philosophy, mathematics, etc., have their "doctrines" as well as Christianity. Note a few reasons for steadfastness in the truth.

I. THE MIND IS SO CONSTITUTED AS NOT TO BE SATISFIED WITH ANYTHING LESS THAN CERTITUDE. As nature abhors a vacuum, so the mind dreads doubt — dreads to be like a ship drifting in darkness and storm with neither star nor sun, compass nor rudder. What would one not give to be on solid earth, who, like Noah's dove, is thus driven? Stand fast in the faith! Buy the truth and sell it not.

II. THIS STEADFASTNESS IS NEEDED TO WITHSTAND THE INFLUENCES WORKING AGAINST US. A soldier in battle needs to stand, a tree in tempests needs to be rooted, and a ship needs an anchor; so we, in meeting the hostility of atheism and science, falsely so called, or kid-gloved, effeminate worldliness, or the supineness and apathy of the Church, need more than a feeble conviction of the truth, such as would be upset by some newly-discovered bone. Be rooted and grounded and able to give an answer, to him who asks you, of your faith.

III. ONLY BY STEADFASTNESS IN THE TRUTH CAN WE RENDER COMPETENT SERVICE TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. A man of negative opinion, though right, is a feebler power than he who is earnestly wrong. But, to be positively right, believing with all the soul, is to be an increment of might. Such were Luther and Whitfield. Such is Moody, who never even ventured to lean against the corner of a college. Truth did not run over such souls, but into them, becoming a part of their moral fibre, making them aggressive and progressive. Such are not literary Sybarites.

(T. B. McLeod.)

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KJV: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

WEB: Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!