Our to-do list

 2 Oct 25

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion


Our to-do list

As the Corinthians awaited Paul's next visit, they were directed to (1) be on their guard against spiritual dangers, (2) stand firm in the faith, (3) behave courageously, (4) be strong, and (5) do everything with kindness and in love. Today, as we wait for the return of Christ, we should follow the same instructions.


“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

——————

Reflections

I see in Paul’s to do list a warning. The warning to be on guard, to be able to stand firm, to behave courageously, be strong and do all things in kindness and love. Paul already has the foresight or insight that the people will be met with all kinds of challenges and tests and he already told them what they must do. The same it is for us.


Christ has warned us like how Paul did to the Corinthians. To be on guard means we cannot afford to slack. The enemy is looking for opportunities like a prowling lion. Therefore discipline is important to our walk of faith. If we can afford to slack, we also give the enemy the opportunity to attack. Anchoring ourselves is as important as how a boat needs to be anchored to the dock, else it risks being carried away by the waves, be it so gentle it may be. The underlying currents are the dangerous ones because often enough, we don’t see it coming.


To be able to stand firm-why? Can you think of situations where it requires you to stand firmly rooted to the ground? It will be situations where the ground is shaking or uneven. Such situations can be challenges that we are facing, tests of our faith, etc. So if we don’t have a firm footing, we risks falling down.


Quite similarly in order to behave courageously, there will be situations which calls for us to perhaps speak the truth and not follow worldly norms. It can also be tests of our faith where the Lord called us to do something out of the ordinary or out of our comfort zone.


Be strong because there will be times when we may feel utterly defeated. Or there may be situations where we know we cannot control and things may fail. Many things will not happen according to the way we wish it would. But stay strong in the faith, knowing it is He who manages everything and He has our best interest at heart.


Do all things in kindness and love because many people don’t. In fact, there are people who are very self-entitled, we may face people who are downright unreasonable. We may also get caught in situations where we had to choose between kindness and worldly. The Lord trains us in various ways, all in preparation for His ministry work. The more we learn, the faster we finish the current season, except the ones that are set by time. And time in itself, is a training on patience, reliance and self-control.

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