The Pastor's Place

Paul's final instructions in his first letter to the Corinthian church also apply to the modern believer: "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love" (1 Cor. 16:13-14).

I started to write the word "advice" for the modern believer, but I struck the word. Advice implies that it is optional - that you can take it or leave it. But there is an emphatic impact in these short bullet points of instruction.

In the day that we live (and I believe that we are in "last days" ministry), these words can carry even greater emphasis for the church. The questions become:

• What do we need to stand guard against? 
• How do we stand firm in our faith? 
• Where do we derive our courage and strength? 
• And the very personal evaluation that reveals our true motives - "Am I doing this in love?" 

Our answers will reveal whether or not we are obedient to God's directives. So, this isn't mere advice that we can be disregard. Paul's words are instruction from the Lord that is meant to prepare us for the daily battle that we live in.

Labels: Advice, battle plan, instruction