“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. Do all your work in love.” (1 Cor. 16:13, 14 TEV)
Paul the Apostle exhorts us here to be alert in every situation. Right from the ancient times, human surroundings are filled with dangers hiding on every side. If some doubter’s words enter our hearts, our faith may be in danger. If some discouragement creeps in, our bravery will be in danger. So, the vital need to stand firm in faith and for being brave and strong is to be alert. All the things that distract our attention come from the devil. If we remove our attention from Jesus to any other thing or being, we will lose our alertness. Many children of God get used to unnecessary attention. They notice things that can create doubts in them. Worldly needs are the focus of many. The real spiritual focus is to be upon Jesus, without which it is not possible to be alert.
When we are alert by keeping our vision fixed on Jesus, the devil can do no harm to us. He uses all the forces of darkness like sin, fear, doubt, unforgiving nature, bitterness, unnecessary questioning and anxieties etc. to make us focus on the present situation rather than on the promises of God. He says, “See, this is the reality. Focus on it and find a solution”. He knows that if we focus on our problems, our trust and faith in God will be lessened. This shows that he roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (See 1 Pet. 5:8) “Be firm in your faith and resist him----“(1 Pet. 5:9 TEV). It means when doubts and worries concerning our wellness come, we must resist the devil and trust in Jesus as a child trusts in his father. When sin tries to enter our lives, we must be alert and resist it.
When we are alert and stand firm in the faith we can be brave and strong. This statement does not need to be explained. But the bravery and strength mentioned here is our faith in God’s power, authority and sovereignty. We are not able to fight the battles on our own, but God fights for us. Faith in God has greater power than self-confidence and any other type of inner courage. When we depend on ourselves, we can achieve nothing.
Next we read: Do all your work in love. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. When we do everything in love, we are secure in what we do. The perfect love (of God) engulfs all those who walk and work in love and his perfect love casts out all fear. Friend, are you alert, fearless, brave and strong by standing firm in the faith? Do you do all things in love? Let us keep away from all those things that distract our focus and faith in Christ Jesus, whether worries or worldly benefits, discouraging words or encouragement to try worldly pleasures or seek worldly help. May God help each one of us and everyone who knows the Lord to live powerful Christian lives.
Home 
Publications 
Spotlight 
Jesus 
