Done With Love
Stand Firm, Be Strong — But Do It All in Love
SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 16:13-14, 20, 22-24 NKJV - Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. ...All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. ...If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
OBSERVATION:
Paul ends the letter to the Corinthians with a subtle yet not-so-subtle message. Love!
Paul devoted an entire chapter to the subject. Chapter 13 is known as the “love chapter.” It was Paul’s crowning statement in the letter. Greater than knowledge, gifts, and self-sacrifice is Love. Why? Because Love NEVER FAILS! Remember, Paul said all of these would eventually fail and even cease, but Love will not.
In his final “exhortation,” he encourages the Corinthians to “watch, stand fast, be brave, be strong.” All of these terms are military in nature and origin. Paul says all of this needs to be done, but the warning is – “Let all this be done in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14, 20, 22-24 NKJV - Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. ...All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. ...If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
OBSERVATION:
Paul ends the letter to the Corinthians with a subtle yet not-so-subtle message. Love!
Paul devoted an entire chapter to the subject. Chapter 13 is known as the “love chapter.” It was Paul’s crowning statement in the letter. Greater than knowledge, gifts, and self-sacrifice is Love. Why? Because Love NEVER FAILS! Remember, Paul said all of these would eventually fail and even cease, but Love will not.
In his final “exhortation,” he encourages the Corinthians to “watch, stand fast, be brave, be strong.” All of these terms are military in nature and origin. Paul says all of this needs to be done, but the warning is – “Let all this be done in love.”
All the watching, all the standing fast, all the bravery, and all the strength the Corinthian Christians might show meant nothing without love. They were called to do all those things in a meek, humble spirit of love. – David Guzik.
APPLICATION:
Paul will use the word "love" multiple times in his conclusion and greeting at the end of this book.
First, he uses an example: Greet one another with a holy kiss. This Jewish custom and early church tradition were widely practiced as greetings in that culture.
Paul will use the word "love" multiple times in his conclusion and greeting at the end of this book.
First, he uses an example: Greet one another with a holy kiss. This Jewish custom and early church tradition were widely practiced as greetings in that culture.
Not hollow, as Joab and Judas; not carnal, as that harlot (Proverbs 7:13 NKJV - So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face...) Show love and respect to one another when you greet each other. – John Trapp.
Second, he says, “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!” In preaching the return of Christ, let it be motivated by love. If anyone does not love the Lord, he is already cursed, and there is no hope. But because there is still hope, Jesus has not returned, and many are still “cursed.” Let us bring the message of love and hope regarding the return of Christ!
Finally, he says, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” Without the Love of God, we would never experience GRACE! Remember, grace stands for God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense! Love is with us ALL who are in Christ Jesus. Let us go and share this love with the world, as we “watch, stand fast, be brave, be strong.”
Philippians 2:3-8 NKJV - Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Remember, love is an action, not just a word!
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You that the summation of the book of Corinthians is love. It is the summation of who You are and what You want us, Your children, to do and show to the world around us. May we be strong and brave, stand firm in the faith, and share the glorious hope of Your return, all in an attitude of love and motivated by love. For You, LOVE, will never fail.
Finally, he says, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” Without the Love of God, we would never experience GRACE! Remember, grace stands for God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense! Love is with us ALL who are in Christ Jesus. Let us go and share this love with the world, as we “watch, stand fast, be brave, be strong.”
Philippians 2:3-8 NKJV - Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Remember, love is an action, not just a word!
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You that the summation of the book of Corinthians is love. It is the summation of who You are and what You want us, Your children, to do and show to the world around us. May we be strong and brave, stand firm in the faith, and share the glorious hope of Your return, all in an attitude of love and motivated by love. For You, LOVE, will never fail.
Every act of faith, courage, and conviction means nothing if it isn't rooted in and motivated by love — because love is the only thing that never fails.
Posted in 07 - 1 Corinthians
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