“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do BE DONE WITH LOVE.” (1 Corin. 16:13-14) Paul has been addressing the details of certain matters That had to be taken care of, as well as his travel plans. He turns to sending greetings in a moment, but first he inserts a series of FIVE QUICK COMMANDS. Paul’s habit of doing this at the end of letters reminds one of a parent restating quickly all the things their child needs to remember before rushing out the door.
- WATCH: “Watch (grēgoreuō: give strict attention to) and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41)
- STAND FAST IN THE FAITH: “…my beloved brethren, BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE, always ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corin. 15:58)
- BE BRAVE: “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
- BE STRONG: As Joshua assumes the leadership position he says, “…be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:6-7)
- LET ALL YOU DO BE DONE WITH LOVE: “Love suffers long and is kind, does not envy, does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…
LOVE NEVER FAILS…(1 Corin. 13:4-8)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham