It’s a question every believer must answer because even the Apostle Paul didn’t consider himself “stablished” when he wrote Philippians chapter three. Later, however, he knew he had been “stablished” and says so in 2 Tim. 4:6-8:

For I am now ready to be offered (poured out as a libation) and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day (i.e. the day of Christ (Phil. 1:10, 16): and not me only, but unto all them that also love his appearing.

But back in Philippians three the apostle was struggling. He was not yet “stablished”. He was still in the business of counting the “loss of all things but dung … that I may win Christ” (Phil. 3:7-8). And he had yet to fully “know Him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death”.

Just what does it mean to be “stablished”? According to Paul in Phil. 3:8-12 it means knowing Jesus as Lord of one’s life, being “found in Him, not having my own righteousness but his that is “the righteousness of God which is by faith”. All this and more “that I may know Him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death”.

Faith then is key. As the Lord through the prophet warned Israel: “If ye will not believe, surely ye will not be established” (Isaiah 7:20). And it’s not the sort of faith in which we make ourselves believe something, but the power to have faith that God puts in our hearts as a free gift. And the same goes for being “stablished”. We can’t “stablish” ourselves; God must do it.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (his) that worketh in us (Eph. 3:20).

“Power” is God’s ample ability to do what we can’t do. So, being “stablished” is nothing we can bring about, though in all ages people have striven make their religious practices acceptable to God and usually failing miserably in the attempt. But we can go…

….to Him that is of power to stablish according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophet, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen (Rom. 16:25).

So, what is it like for a believer NOT to be “stablished”? Eph. 4: 14 paints a graphic picture,

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of me, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love grow up into Him (Christ) in all things, which is the Head even Christ.

Sadly, being “tossed to and fro” going to this church and then another, believing one set of doctrines then dumping them for another, is still where much of Christianity is at. It was where I was at for many years. And, truly, in that state of childhood we’re easy prey for men who lie in wait with cunning craftiness to bind us to their organisation, take our money and teach us lies that deny the truth and do nothing to bring us closer to Christ.

When you’re “stablished” it’s very different. You get truth direct from the Lord via his “word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13) as you study the scriptures for yourself relying on his Spirit to guide you. No longer do you seek answers second hand from pastors, their church doctrine who pray for miracles which don’t happen. No longer do you believe that going to church will save you.

But best of all you find faith and trust in Him “who is able to save unto the uttermost” bubbling up inside you, bringing peace to your heart despite troubles that beset you.

To be “established” means you are set on a straight course, knowing that it is what God does will keep you and one day bring you home to Him in glory. It means your feet are set upon a rock and because you have God-given faith you cannot be moved. You know not just that you are saved, but now you are taught the “the truth as it is in Jesus” by the Lord Himself (Eph. 4:21).

Once your understanding was “darkened” and you were “alienated from the life of God” because of the blindness of your heart. But now you have been “quickened”, made by alive by God Himself. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13-14) and translated into the kingdom of his dear Son, you are already “made meet (suitable) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:13) and you are “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness (Col. 1:11).

Strange then, isn’t it, that you will go a long way to find a church where the pastor preaches the need to be “stablished”?  But you can have “church” in your own heart, listening to and being taught by Jesus direct beyond all fear of misunderstanding. And that among many other blessings is it what it is to be stablished. Why not ask the Lord to “stablish” you today?

John Dudley Aldworth

Email: john.aldworth@hotmail.com

Website: https://www.dayofchristmnistries.com/rss/all.xml