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Some giants are hidden in plain view.  There is a giant Burr Oak tree that stands near the Walnut Woods Metro Park along Lithopolis Rd., near Groveport, Ohio.  The tree stands in plain sight near the road and is easily seen from the road.  However, it was just recently (May, 2018) recognized as a co-champion Burr Oak in the state of Ohio.  The tree is estimated to be between 150 and 200 years old.  It is 105 feet tall and its trunk is 18 feet in circumference.  It was discovered by Marc DeWerth of the Big Trees of Ohio organization and certified by Alistar Reynolds, the Ohio Champion Tree coordinator for the Ohio Division of Forestry. Its co-champion tree is located in Pickaway County on the south bank of Giffery Run.  The tree near the park has been struck by lightning and it lost a large branch just this year, but it is still standing.  Wounded, yet standing, it towers above every tree nearby.  The Bible uses a tree to illustrate the strength and prosperity of the righteous who follow God’s Word.  In Psa. 1:1-6, a tree standing by the water is prosperous and fruitful.  Speaking of the righteous, the Psalmist states, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”  The righteous are contrasted to the ungodly.  The ungodly are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment.  The righteous are like a tree planted by the waters that cannot be moved.  The apostle Paul indicates that one of the characteristics of the righteous is that they are steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (I Cor. 15:58).  Through word association, let’s explore what it means to be steadfast.
Steadfastness:  Its Meaning and Uses
There are three adjectives and two nouns that indicate steadfast/steadfastness.  The adjectives are: bebaios meaning: firm, secure; hedraios, meaning: seated, steadfast or metaphorically, fixity.  It is used of moral fixity in I Cor. 7:37 (steadfast in his heart); and stereos, meaning:  firm, resistance (I Pet. 5:9).  The nouns are: stereōma, meaning: a support, foundation, denoting strength (Col. 2:5); and stērigmos, meaning: a setting firmly, supporting, fixedness (II Pet. 3:17).  (see W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, IV, 73).
The Main Concepts Involved in Steadfastness
Steadfastness involves resistance to change when that change would take us away from Christ or place us in opposition to Christ.  I Peter 5:9 directs us to resist (stereos) the devil.  We must resist satan, when he tempts us to forsake Christ or place us in opposition to Christ.  We must resist any person when that person attempts to move us away from Christ or place us in opposition to Christ.  Steadfastness is not merely a passive trait. Inward strength helps us resist evil just like a tree which has the strength of life in it can withstand the winds and storms that rage against it.  A Christian must be strong and resist anything that would separate him/her from Christ.
Steadfastness involves being unmovable from our spiritual oneness with Christ.  In I Cor. 15:58 (hedraios), Paul marries steadfastness with being unmovable.  The idea is that of being in a fixed position.  Jesus indicates this very thought in John 15:1-10, where He instructs His disciples to “abide in me.”  Our spiritual life and vitality come from Jesus Christ. He is the vine and we are the branches.  As a result of being in Christ and abiding in Christ we are: purified, productive, will not be purged (cast out and burned); have our prayers answered, and remain in partnership with the Lord through love and obedience to His Word.
Steadfastness involves fixedness.  A permanent spiritual position that results in moral purity.  In Col. 1:23, Paul describes one who is grounded, settled and cannot be moved away from the faith which is in Christ Jesus.  Hedraios is used metaphorically of moral fixity (I Cor. 7:37).  To be steadfast in one’s heart means that we remain true to ourselves and the Lord Jesus Christ with regard to His teachings.  This is an inner spiritual strength and toughness in keeping our hearts pure.
Steadfastness involves being anchored.   Hope is an anchor to the soul (Heb. 6:19-bebaios). An anchor is another metaphor.  A ship requires an anchor in order to remain in one position or a fixed position while the winds and waves attempt to move the ship in various directions.  Faith and hope are two necessary aspects of steadfastness.  Faith is the foundation of hope.  If we do not have faith in God and His Word, we do not possess hope.  If we have faith (Heb. 11:6), then, we have hope.  Hope secures the soul in the midst of the storms of life.  Hope is confident expectation of good things to come.  No matter what the circumstances of life may be, when we have a foundation of faith in God, we have optimism that it will be well with our soul.
Steadfastness involves being grounded and settled.  Our lives as Christians are firmly placed upon a sure foundation.  “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 3:11).  Jesus describes the wise man as the person who hears His sayings and doeth them (Matt. 7:24-25).  He builds his life upon the rock.  Sterēoma is used in Col. 2:5, “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”  We are the temple of God “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).  Consequently, we are not toss to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).
Steadfastness involves firmness.  The word of God cannot be broken (John 10:35).  The word of angels was stedfast and the word of Jesus Christ is even more so (Heb. 2:2-bebaios). God’s word stands like the rock of Gibraltar.  It is impregnable.  Thus, it provides security for the soul.  God’s word keeps us from being led astray by the error of the wicked whereby we would fall from our own steadfastness (II Pet. 3:17-stērigmos).
The truly wise among us will enter into God’s grace, love and mercy and stay there!  Do not be moved away from the faith that is in Christ Jesus.  Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!  Perhaps you can be a spiritual giant hidden in plain view.