Text: 1 Cor. 16: 13-14

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love”

The above text are part of the words of the Apostle Paul’s final admonition to the Corinthian church in his first letter to them. The admonition was coming at a time when there was some level of division in the church and perhaps it was in the light of the division that Paul gave the admonition.

In the admonition he charged them to do five things – First he charged them to be on guard. They were to be constantly watchful or alert for enemies that might quietly slip in and threaten to destroy their union. Some of the things they must be on the lookout for and which they must avoid at all cost are negative vices such as pride, sexual immorality in all its manifestations, bitterness and lack of self-control. The bible warns us believer of today including to be alert and watchful because the devil is moving around as a roaring lion seeking whom to devour (1 Pet. 5: 8).

Secondly, they are to stand firm in their faith. As a people who have left the life of sin to embrace the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, they are to hold on firmly to that faith, and never let it go come what may. There should be nothing in this world that should be able to separate us from our faith in Christ provided that the faith is a genuine faith. Regardless of the trial or the challenge remain in faith it will be well at last.

Thirdly, they are to be courageous so that they can be able to confront false teachers and false prophets and also to be able to maintain an uncompromising stand against sin in the church. We also need courage today to maintain our stand in God as children of God and also to preach Christ in our neighborhood and wherever we find ourselves.

Fourthly, he charged them to be strong, this what the Holy Spirit does for all children of God, he gives us ability to remain strong physically, emotionally and spiritually, this strength is necessary for instance in helping us to remain firmly on the pathway of holiness, because there will a lot of temptations and pressures all trying their best to push us out of the way.

Finally, they are to do everything with love, not with hatred, grumbling or complaining. And if anything is to be done in love then diligence and commitment will be required. The apostle Paul had said earlier in 1 Cor 13: 1, that whatever we do without love is worth nothing no matter how good it may be. Therefore it is love that makes the good to be of the right quality and to count before God.

My prayer is that God will help us never to forget who we are. We are daughters and sons of God. We have been given authority over our enemies and through our Lord Jesus Christ, we lack nothing. Because of the cross we can stand firm no matter what may try to come against us. I pray that our faith would rise up inside of us and become bigger than anything either confronting us presently or that may confront us in the future. I pray that our faith will become as strong as a mountain, that it would be unshakeable, and lift us up above the adversities that come our way in Jesus name. Amen. Shalom.

Prayer Points

1. Father, thank you for the authority you have given to me over my enemies through my Lord Jesus Christ

2. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives me the ability to remain strong physically, emotionally and spiritually

3. Thank you for helping me to remain on the right path despite all temptations and pressures that is trying their best to push us out of the way.

4. Father, I pray that my faith would rise up inside of me and become bigger than anything either confronting me presently or that may confront me in the future.

5. Father, I pray that my faith will become as strong as a mountain, such that it would be unshakeable, and lift me up above the adversities that come my way in Jesus name. Amen.