Greetings to all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Parents usually keep telling their children, ‘be careful’; specially when they leave the house to go somewhere or sometimes the wife tells the husband, ‘be carefull, drive slow’. These are small acts of concern shown by our family members, friends and the people we stay with. But the word of God tells us, “keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13. There are four aspects in this verse.
The first aspect is “keep alert”. We need to keep alert, to be on our guard and to be careful always. “Discipline yourselves, Keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary, the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8. We need to be alert from the devil, the evil Spirit, Satan, who is always ready to pounce on us to gain souls in his kingdom. “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12. So “submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7.
The second aspect that we read in 1 Corinthians 16:13 is, “stand firm in your faith”. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1. No one has ever seen God but the assurance is there deep down in our hearts that God is present. Just like a child who blindly believes in his/her mother so should our faith in God be. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6. I believe that it is time now that we should stop practising religion and step into the fight of faith.
The third and fourth aspect we read in 1 Corinthians 16:13 is “to be strong and courageous.” At all times in all situations and at all places we need to be strong in the Lord and courageous enough to face all disturbances in our lives. “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that Moses commanded; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7. Again we read, “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you whenever you go.” – Joshua 1:9. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” – Ephesians 6:10.
So my dear brothers and sisters, be on your guard at all times, keep yourself away from all evil, be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ and in his word and then you will become courageous to face and bear everything that comes your way.
Praise the Lord. God bless you.
