Wednesday, October 19, 2022

          Paul ended I Corinthians with some personal requests and remarks.  He named some people and offered some admonitions.  In I Corinthians 16:13-14, the apostle wrote, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”  We find five simple and direct commands that help to frame how we can live as followers of Christ.  The first command is to be on guard.  On guard against what, we might ask?  Guard against sin and yielding to temptation.  Guard against bad influences entering into your life.  Guard against false teachings and bad theology taking hold that leaves you doubting the truth of Scripture.  Satan has a multitude of things and ways that he can come against us.  So, the message is to be on guard or to stay watchful.  Do not allow yourself to be led astray by the cunning and trickery of the enemy.  Do not let the enemy infiltrate your mind or heart.
            Second, Paul said that we are to stand firm in the faith.  If we are to resist false teachings and sin, then it makes sense to stand firmly in and among what is right, true and good.  We hold on to the cross, the gospel, the promise of salvation in Christ alone and God’s promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age.  To stand firmly means we also resist what is evil or wrong.  We push back against the enemy’s efforts to confuse or deceive us or others.
            Third, Paul says be courageous.  Be bold when it comes to speaking about your faith and inviting others to know the Lord Jesus.  Do not fade away from your commitment to follow Christ without reservation.  We often sing that we will follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.  To be bold means we live that way in addition to singing about it.  You may decide to take the courageous step of tithing and letting the Lord be the God of your finances.  You may need to speak about Christ to a child or grandchild.  Christ courageously went to the cross.  Maybe there is a courageous step you can take for His glory.
            Fourth, Paul says be strong.  We build physical strength by exercising, eating right, getting proper rest and sleep, checking in with our doctor for annual physicals and paying attention to anything that is not right with our bodies.  Staying strong spiritually is important too—and more so.  We stay spiritually strong with a diet of Bible reading and prayer.  We worship; we tithe; we serve; and we live humbly before the Lord.  We build our faith as diligently as we would build a home or garden. 
            And fifth, we wrap everything in love.  We love the Lord and we love others we may encounter.  Love becomes our motivation for the previous four steps.  Because we love the Lord, we take His admonitions seriously and follow them obediently.  Our love for God makes us want to walk and fellowship with Him.  Our love for others makes us want to share Christ with them.
            Some of the Bible’s simplest verses can make a huge impact in how we live.  Today’s verses are two such examples.  These simple and short commands can build a steady and sturdy faith.  Have a great Wednesday!  Join us tonight for a host of activities for all ages.  And worship anytime at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.