Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

I Corinthians 16:13, 14

Paul’s letter to the believers in Corinth contains theology, practice and worship.  As he nears the end of his letter to them he summarizes all he has been instructing them. Be on your guard.  You are out of step with this world, the enemy wants to pull you back into his ways, like others in your culture.  Beware of this.  All believers experience it, always have done and always will do.

Stand firm in the faith.  This is very personal. We do not look to others, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Be courageous.  It is battle, every day, every moment, a battle that you will lose unless the Spirit of the Lord gives you the victory.  Paul speaks not of personal power but of the power of the Spirit in our lives.

Be strong.  In battle, the moment you give up, the enemy pounces on you!  Be strong in the strength of the Spirit and the faith that he gives.

He closes with a sweeping word, Do everything in love.  Many things try to motivate us, including our desire to protect ourselves and to judge others.  I am convinced that we can not do this unless the Spirit of the Lord controls our lives.

Let us turn our ear to our Lord once again, listen and obey.  Then we can move on in joy!