STAND, GUARD, LOVE

1 Corinthians 16:13-14     

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

What does bravery look like to you? Maybe it's exhibiting strength in the midst of a difficult diagnosis. Perhaps it is the men and women who jump into burning buildings and war zones to find and save the innocent. What if bravery was having the faith to push through another hard day? The young church in Corinth was full of different people who had various opinions on how they should meet, what their worship should include, and what living a godly life truly looked like. It sounds like what is going on today in churches!

Paul, instead of reprimanding the believers in Corinth, encouraged each of them to remember why they were gathering in the first place -- Jesus. The fact that Jesus Himself experienced various trials and tribulations in His lite and ministry reminds us that we can stand courageously in our own trials. Why? Because nothing can happen to us that Jesus Himself does not know and has not already overcome.

Paul's closing words to the Corinthians are designed to encourage all Christians to watch, to be on the alert, to stand firm in the faith, and to be strong. Paul is urging the believers at Corinth as well as us today to be of one mind and to make sure that all they say and do is done in love.

Every Christian should know the importance of watching and being alert, for we have many enemies that seek our downfall. We are surrounded with false apostles, false prophets, false teachers, deceitful workers and doctrines of demons. All such things started to infiltrate the church in the time of Paul and seem to have exploded in multiple directions within some of today's churches. The enemy of our soul seeks to permeate every nook and cranny of Christian life.

Indeed, we know the devil himself prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. And that evil enemy, who is called the devil and Satan, will also try to approach us as an angel of light through the medium of deceptive people, false apostles and deceitful workers who pretend they are apostles of Christ. Sadly, their witness and faith are compromised.

How important it is that we are alert, and watchful against the enemy of our souls not only for ourselves, but on behalf of all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we keep looking to Jesus, our blessed Hope. Love is our most disarming weapon against our real enemy, Satan. Our love for God is essential. Our love for our neighbors is vitally important, and our love for each other is crucial to our survival and our witness.

Like the Corinthians, we are also called to be brave and strong in our Christian Walk. We are not to compromise our faith, but to cling fast to that which is good and noble, right and pure, honorable, admirable, and lovely. We do this as we trust in the Lord with all our hearts for, He is the Rock of our Salvation and the firm foundation upon which we stand. We are to be devoted to our brothers and sisters in Christ, for we are one body in Him. Indeed, we are members of His body and united together in Him not only in this life but in the ages to come!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for Your goodness to us and for instructing us on how to live godly lives to Your praise and glory. Lord, open the windows of Heaven and rain down Your abundant blessings upon my friends and family today. Lord, may we stand firm in the faith and act in a way that does not dishonor Your name. Lord, may we be alert to the evils that surround us and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, may we never compromise the truth of the glorious gospel but be strong in You and in the power of Your might. Lord, help us to withstand the wiles of the devil and be alert to his evil ways. Lord, may all we say and do be done in love to Your honor and glory. Lord, use my friends to be a blessing that someone needs today.

Father, we love You. Amen.