“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

While being on your guard, do it in love. While standing firm in the faith, do it in love. When being courageous and strong, do it in love. Let love lead. Paul wrote to Timothy saying: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). That’s love which guides and saves. So, we strive to do everything in love. We receive this as God’s truth for His word says: “Don’t owe anything to anyone, except your outstanding debt to continually love one another, for the one who learns to love has fulfilled every requirement of the law” (Romans 13:8).

Powerful! These commands find their purest expressions through love. Jesus said it this way: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments DEPEND all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:38-40). There is love in all the commands.

Finally, Colossians 3:12-14 exhorts: “As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly.” Father, empower us to do everything in love. Amen.

#goodmorning 🌷

BeEncouraged❤️ Freely received. Freely shared