"Stand firm and together:"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)These are words of encouragement for all of us. In uncertain times as we live in today, we all need guidance and direction from the one who knows all things. These words from God remind us that we need to be attentive to our surroundings because there are many sources of evil all around. Evil is lurking around every corner waiting to pounce upon unsuspecting and unprepared people. God warns us so that we can be prepared. Preparation begins with knowing Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the devil through his own perfect obedience, death and resurrection. He then passes his victory and power on to everyone who believes in him and accepts what he has done on their behalf. Christians stand firm on the power and faithfulness of Jesus Christ. He and the entire Bible are true and unchanging. They are a solid foundation that we can build upon with confidence and security forever. We are also to be people of courage; unafraid of our enemies, whomever they may be. They cannot stop us from doing what comes from our God. He has promised to equip us for every good work and to stand with us against every enemy that would threaten us. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, loving God that invites us to call him, our father. We lack nothing as his children when we walk by faith in him. We are strong because the God who strengthens us has no weakness. Finally, we are encouraged to "Do everything in love." We can love our spouse, children, friends, neighbors, and even our enemies because of the love we have received from God. Because we are confident, courageous and strong in the Lord, we are not frightened by the enormity of evil that fills our world. Our God is greater and bigger and still loves all that he has created. As our father he comforts us with this love and assures us that "nothing can separate us from his love." All we have and are as his children comes as his gift, free and abundant. By God’s amazing grace we "stand firm and together."
