S:1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV- Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
O: Paul is ending his first letter to the church in Corinth by telling them his future plans to return to them and possibly stay through the winter. While writing this letter, he is in Ephesus continuing the work of spreading the gospel while encountering opposition. Next, Paul gives instructions regarding his fellow brothers in Christ, Timothy and Apollos, telling the church to prepare for their arrival. Finally in verses 13 and 14 he gives 5 specific instructions to the church to encourage them to persevere in their faith.
A: I'm not sure if Paul realized it at the time, but the 5 instructions he gives the church are 5 fundamentals of every believer, that have united us throughout the generations. He starts by warning us to:
1) BE ON OUR GUARD: As believers we must be ready for anything. There's a real enemy that wants to stop us from reaching your potential and we have to defend ourselves. The best defense is a good offense, and the only weapon we have in the fight is the word of God. We must hide the word in our hearts so that we don't sin against God. (Psalms 119:11)
2) STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH: The Word says, "Faith is a substance." (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is all we have to hold on to as believers. Whether your life takes a turn for better or for worst, your faith will determine your response. Faith can turn a lemon of life into lemonade. People of faith don't see a problem, they see an opportunity.
3) BE COURAGEOUS: We can have courage in any situation because, "God never gave us a spirit of fear." (2 Timothy 2:7). It has been said that courage is not the absence of fear, but it's doing what needs to be done in spite of fear. We get the job done no matter what!
4) BE STRONG: As believers our strength is irrelevant, because we only find Gods strength in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:10) Rest assured that if you enter a situation where your weakness is exposed, it creates an opportunity for Gods strength to be glorified.
5) DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE: Without love we have nothing. Love inspires us to do things out of the ordinary. "For God so LOVED the world, He gave..." (John 3:16) As believers we are compelled by love to do extraordinary things for our fellow man. Love will never allow you to leave a need unfulfilled. We were created to love.
P: God remind me everyday to be a man that is on my guard, stands firm in the faith, is courageous, strong, and most of all, does everything in love. Amen.
