“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
September 12, 2023
In the fourth of five sharp military commands, Paul calls the Corinthian church to exercise moral, mental, and spiritual force against evil. When the church and the culture conspire to undercut our effectiveness for Christ, there is no time for weakness. The irony is that the Corinthian believers thought they were strong. But the truth was many were acting like babies (3:3), were indulging in a theology of glory, seeking to be admired by unbelievers (4:10), were physically ill by divine discipline (11:30), and were self-assured in their ability to withstand temptation (10:12). Physical strength development comes by consistent weight resistance. Ask anyone who works out in a gym. Spiritual strength comes by Spirit enabled self-discipline (9:27, “I discipline my body”). Are you increasing in your strength to endure physical and emotional hardships? The world, the flesh, and the devil are not to be allowed to pin our shoulders to the mat. It takes spiritual muscle to be an overcomer. How are those work-outs coming in disciplining yourself for godliness?
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“That according to the riches of his grace he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Ephesians 3:16