Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NIV).
Christ will return one day, and we need to be prepared. Our faith needs to be strong enough to withstand any and all attacks. To be brave and strong not only means that we need to be physically fit, it also means that we need to be mature in our walk with God. The more we study God’s Word, the braver and stronger we will become.
Verse 14 says to “Do everything in love.” Which means, no matter what life throws your way, never let your anger speak for you.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44 NIV).
But knowledge puffs up while love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV).
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1–3 NIV).
Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV).
. . . so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, . . . (Ephesians 3:17 NIV).
These verses show how important 1 Corinthians 16:14 truly is to God.
Can you show love, no matter what?
Are you courageous enough to stand until the Lord returns?
Are you one of God’s “Captains Courageous”?
Debbie Mitchell