Contemplation #154
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
What does it mean to be on our guard? Often we assume that the greatest dangers come from without us, but truly we must be on guard first against ourselves. If I focus on what I suppose to be great external enemies, and neglect the more real inner dangers, then I am on guard in the wrong way. If I view others or situations as the threat to my spiritual condition I am blind to the fact that it is me, and how I respond and live toward others and within circumstances, that is key. The potential is inner, as is the danger.
Contemplation #155
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
The fact that the danger is inward is illustrated by Paul’s admonitions which follow his call to be on guard. Our stand in the faith, our finding courage and strength, and our living in love are all inward disciplines. We guard ourselves through holding close to the faith – our trust in the good news of God’s kingdom come near and given to us by Christ. We protect our own lives by seeking courage against fearfulness, and by looking for strength to oppose out weakness. When all this is done in selfless love, we are guarding ourselves well.
Contemplation #156
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Our final contemplation on these verses involves recognizing the source for what Paul advocates. Where does faith, courage, strength, and love come from but God himself? We guard ourselves against our inward dangers by thorough reliance on God for the gifts of his grace. We must be close to God, dependent on God, and certainly not on ourselves, if we want to guard our lives against all the dangers that lie within. To do everything in love is to do everything in God.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
What does it mean to be on our guard? Often we assume that the greatest dangers come from without us, but truly we must be on guard first against ourselves. If I focus on what I suppose to be great external enemies, and neglect the more real inner dangers, then I am on guard in the wrong way. If I view others or situations as the threat to my spiritual condition I am blind to the fact that it is me, and how I respond and live toward others and within circumstances, that is key. The potential is inner, as is the danger.
Contemplation #155
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
The fact that the danger is inward is illustrated by Paul’s admonitions which follow his call to be on guard. Our stand in the faith, our finding courage and strength, and our living in love are all inward disciplines. We guard ourselves through holding close to the faith – our trust in the good news of God’s kingdom come near and given to us by Christ. We protect our own lives by seeking courage against fearfulness, and by looking for strength to oppose out weakness. When all this is done in selfless love, we are guarding ourselves well.
Contemplation #156
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Our final contemplation on these verses involves recognizing the source for what Paul advocates. Where does faith, courage, strength, and love come from but God himself? We guard ourselves against our inward dangers by thorough reliance on God for the gifts of his grace. We must be close to God, dependent on God, and certainly not on ourselves, if we want to guard our lives against all the dangers that lie within. To do everything in love is to do everything in God.
posted by Greg at 11:38 AM
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