Be on the alert, stand firm in the
faith, act like men, be strong.
(1 Cor 16:13
[NASB])
We have arrived at the end of the
first week of January 2016. Have you remained committed to your objectives and
goals so far?
We each are weak and fail in some of
our goals in life whether it be to eat better, exercise more, be aware and help
the needy, read our Bibles and pray, or be a better family member. Each of us proved
ourselves unfaithful to our own goals and objectives at some point already this
year. We are human – fallible and sinful.
Paul closed his first letter to the
Corinthians reminding and encouraging them to be alert and stand firm in the
faith. He told them to be cautious to keep the faith and be active in their
faith - put into action their love for God by obeying Him.
Paul also encouraged and reminded them
to act like men and be strong. They were to be brave like men and take a stand
for God. Since the Corinthian believers came from the midst of a Gentile
(non-Jewish) background and were surrounded by a pantheon of gods worshipped by
their neighbors and the Roman Empire, it would be easy to slip back into their
old ways. Paul challenged and encouraged them to be like brave and strong men
and take a stand for Christ in their lives. Even when everyone around them
worshipped other gods and ridiculed them, stand brave and strong in their faith
in Jesus Christ, Paul instructed.
Considering what Paul wrote to the
Corinthian Christians, how active is your faith? Do you stand firm when others
around you do not live a Christian life or when they mock yours? Are you strong
in your faith in the face of ridicule, slander, and persecution?
Paul was no stranger to persecution.
He was a prime example for the Corinthian Christians on what it looks like to
be active, firm, brave, and strong in the faith.
Will
you listen to and receive encouragement from Paul to be active in your faith?
Will
you stand firm in your faith in Jesus Christ today, tomorrow, this week?
Will
you be brave in the face of adversity and be strong in your faith in God?
Stay committed to God.
He is committed to you.
