Parting Words
I returned home late last night from my week in Dallas. I was greeted by snow in Denver, our first of the season. Today I made a trip to the fitness center before my IV infusion at McKee Medical Center. I am pleased the with my busy schedule, I have not experienced some of the normal fatigue that has been part of my life in recent years.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
These final words of challenge from Paul to the Corinthians are compelling. Paul had much of his life, tied to this church. We know he spent at least eighteen months ministering in Corinth, and made return trips. This was a church he cared about. He cared enough to confront.
Proverbs tells us, “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6 NLT) Paul saw the progress and the potential in this church and he wanted them to address the issues that threatened their effectiveness.
He begins by affirming them and recognizing their spiritual gifts and devotion to the Lord. It is easy to view an individual or a group based on their faults and failures. But Paul from the beginning, before he spoke of word of correction, saw in this church, their future strength and stability As he reminded them of God’s work of grace he said, “He [Jesus] will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NIV)
Paul saw them as “blameless” in the end, even though they faced critical challenges in the present. They were divided, coddling blatant sin, suing each other before civil courts, messed up about marriage and personal conduct and responsibility; they were giving into temptation and failing to remember the lessons of God’s people in the past. They were not being considerate of the Body of Christ both in their lack of self-discipline and self-sacrifice, as well as in the practice of “The Lord’s Supper.”
It would be easy to view this group as “unredeemable.” But Paul as he comes to the end of the letter calls them to action. Plan, prepare and practice meeting the needs of others. Paul gives instructions about gifts for the poor in Jerusalem, he shares his own plans to visit them again, he prepares them for the arrival of Timothy and the he gives this overall call to action.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” A victorious life in Christ requires persistent diligence. You just can’t coast, in order to make progress. The threats are from without, within and in our own hearts.
Paul consistently related faith to “standing firm.” Paul wrote to the Ephesians and says, “don’t be tossed to and fro by every wind and doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14) The waves of doubt and discouragement and the onslaught of the enemy of our souls can threaten the stability of our spiritual life.
Like the Lord commanded Joshua, Paul encourages the Corinthians, “be strong…be courageous…” Strength and courage are the ingredients to victory in many arenas of life and it is certainly true in our spiritual life. We don’t yield, give in or give up.
But then Paul end with the words, “Do everything in love.” Love for the Lord and for the people of God. Paul modeled this when he affirms their faith before he addresses their failures. But we see in his words, confidence of a bright future.
Prayer for today… Lord, allow us to heed these words. Help us to be on guard, help us to be firm in our faith. Give us the strength and courage to face the challenges of life and faith. Help us to know Your love and to be guided by Your love in all that we do.