Stand Firm in the Faith

-


Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NKJV)

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.

Devotion:

            The above scripture is short but has powerful meaning for today’s culture. We live in a time where traditional values are disappearing more each and every day. If we are truly watching, we will see the changes that are occurring all around us. The tendency is for us to withdraw from culture. Even to abandon some core beliefs and principles in order to conform to the changing social structures around us. That is not what Paul is calling us to here in these verses.

            Rather than withdraw from culture we are called to do three things in this scripture passage. First, we are to watch. We cannot hope to have any effect on our culture if we do not know what is going on in the culture. Watching involves more than just looking absent mindedly at what is happening around us each day. We are called to really see what is actually happening around us and reflect on what it means for us as followers of Jesus. It requires a concentration of our powers of observation that most of us, growing up in the internet age, sadly lack. However, we are nonetheless called to watch carefully and discern the times in which we live.

            Next, we are called to “stand fast in the faith.” This takes courage and can really only be done after one has actually watched the culture and seen how the culture is changing. It means that we are to be a stable and secure person regardless of the changes going on around us. Unfortunately, our culture works against our stability with assaults on our senses urging us to lust, covet and all manner of commandment breaking behavior. It must be noted of the verbs in this passage this is the only one that is in the imperative. We are commanded to stand fast.

            The verb translated “be brave, be strong” is really just one word and it is translated literally “be manly.” Apparently, the winds of culture have blown strong enough to render this an unacceptable translation for our 21st century world. That aside, the idea here is that we are called to stand up and oppose cultural changes that are forcing us to retreat from our faith. It is a call to realize that Jesus meant what he said to his disciples when he said, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against is” (Matthew 16:18).

            The next verse is really a summary statement to what Paul has written in chapters 12-15. It also is clearly the command of Jesus. That is, we are to love God and one another in everything we do. It clearly rules out any harsh words or actions. It calls us to love as Paul had just written in the 13th chapter of this letter to the Corinthians.

            So, to sum it all up, we are to watch our culture, stand firm regardless of what the culture throws at us, and be brave and courageous in the face of danger. We are to do all these things with love for God and our neighbors ruling our lives. Let us pray that God will give us the strength, courage, and love to carry forward the kingdom. Let it be on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcoming the Unwelcome

-
  Scripture: Luke 7:36-38 (NIV) 36  When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. Devotion:             First of all, some warnings to my readers. This post will exceed the 500 words I try to limit my posts. Second, this post will contain content people may find offensive or otherwise unfit for print. Please understand that my purpose is neither to offend nor upset but to provoke thought and, hopefully, respectful dialog.             We will use Luke chapt...
Read more

The Hatred of the World

-
Scripture: John 15:18-20 (ESV) 18  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. Devotion:             This scripture is compelling. It explains what happened to Jesus and His disciples some 2,000 years ago. The message of God is rarely welcome news for the world. It calls out many of the culture's favorite practices for what they are: sin. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, humankind has been adamant about trying to hide or excuse their sin. Sin causes a barrier between humans and God that humanity cannot overcom...
Read more

Reflecting on Reformation Day

-
  On October 31st, millions of Christians around the world celebrate Reformation Day, a commemoration of a pivotal moment in church history. It marks the day in 1517 when Martin Luther, a German monk and scholar, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This act, challenging the practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church, ignited what we now know as the Protestant Reformation. The Courage to Stand for Truth Reformation Day calls us to reflect on the courage it takes to stand for truth. Martin Luther faced immense opposition and risked his life to speak against the corruption and abuses he saw within the church. His conviction was rooted in a deep understanding of scripture and a sincere desire to return to the teachings of Christ. As we remember Luther's bravery, let us examine our own lives. Are we willing to stand firm in our beliefs, even when it is difficult? Do we seek truth in God's word and let it guide our actions? Script...
Read more