STAND!

STAND!

Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us]. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13‭-‬14 AMP

In the midst of a charge to the church in Corinth, Paul drops this charge: "Be on guard". Why would this be important, and how can this be achieved? Today's extract seems to provide answers to the questions. First, the foundation of standing firm is on faith, nothing else. Man seems to believe in the power of wealth, position, influence and power, but as life has consistently shown, when the chips are down, none of the things this earth brings can secure you. If there was no danger of losing it all, God would not send such strong words to the church at that time, and to us at this time.

Faith has got to be on the right substance, not just anything. It has got to be on God, his sustaining Word and His presence. If I know and understand what God would have me do, and I am faithful in the discharge of my duties, it really doesn't matter how things end up down here; God is able to work out his purpose through the most messy of situations. All I can do is find strength in God alone, and He will come through for me. Things WILL shake your foundations, but if you are secured right, it will end well.

I note that how God will work it out is not guaranteed in today's extract. God never shows the whole process all at once, because he would have me trust Him every step of the way. Of what point is faith, standing firm and courage if I already know how things will end up? I do not have the full picture, but I have the One who knows the full picture, not just of my life, but of all of life itself, both here and in the one he has promised.

So as i wait, I show love to all men. I hold fast to the grace of God released upon my life, and I react with that same grace to other people. I have received great things from God, and it is only fitting that my life becomes a visible expression of God's grace and imprint to others. The devil will not rest, and I must not become careless. May the Lord help us all. His time of favour is here.