1 Corinthians 16

As we look at the last chapter of 1 Corinthians we see much of the normal concluding statements of Paul. He talks about housekeeping matters and his plans to visit the church in the near future.  However, in the midst of all of these formalities Paul gives us a nugget of advice and wisdom.  In verses 13-14 we read where Paul states, “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong.  Your every action must be done in love." Paul wants the church to understand that their hopes for salvation are not found in anyone such as Apollos or Paul but instead they rest in their response to the work of Jesus Christ.  This is the reason for his exhortation to be alert and stand firm in the faith.  He also says, to put it in the modern vernacular, "Man up!"  Apparently Paul is tired of seeing these church members be less than bold in Christ. He alludes to the fact that they are acting effeminate so he challenges them to be strong.  Adam Clark says, the church has many enemies thus she must be on guard and watch out for the destructiveness they can afford.  However, he is also urging the church to be alert to opportunities of ministry.  Clark also effectively states that  we must "Let love to God, to man, and to one another, be the motive of all our conduct."

The question we must answer today is how do we stand in relation to this command?  Are we alert to the enemies tactics in leading us astray, no matter how subtle?  Are we approaching each day with an opportunistic eye to ways to share God's love both verbally and actively? Do we seek to resist the tendency to speak out in harshness and with unkind words?  We are to remember out of the overflow of the heart do our words speak!  I must reprint the words of verse 14 for it must become our mantra for living each day!  "Your every action must be done with love." If we allow this to be our overriding motive for life then we can become more attune to living as Christ and honoring His commands "To love your neighbor as yourself."

Takeaway:

1.  Let love be the overarching principle for live.

2.  Look for opportunities to lovingly serve one another.

3.  Lookout for the enemy seeks to take us down from serving our God.