Paul’s Closing Message to Corinth

Daily Reading: Leviticus 14, Psalm 104, 1 Corinthians 16, Proverbs 14

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Whether it is a book, blog post, interview, letter, or speech; I am always interested in how someone lands the plane.

What do they close with? What is the final message they want their audience to take away from everything they just shared?

Towards the very end of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth today we read Paul’s final advice in a concise and powerful encouragement.

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

Simple. Straight forward. And absolutely critical.

This message could easily be Paul’s final closing argument to the Western church today.

Our world is currently starving for Christians that seek to live out this message.

There has never been a more important time for followers of Jesus to be on their guard. We live in an age of false prophets, misinformation, and a flood of voices fighting for our attention.

We live in a world where it can feel like we are being attacked from all sides, and it is critical that we couragesously stand firm in our faith.

And most importantly, it has never been more important that we do this from a position of love.

Our world is desperate for Christians that show up loving the world.

Loving our neighbor.

Loving our enemies.

Loving those who feel the least lovable at times.

Being an example for the world of someone willing to give undeserved grace, because we first received it.

In a world that is rushing to sow division and hate, followers of Jesus should take Paul’s guidance to heart, and do everything in love.

It is easier said than done, and yet it is worth the fight.

Paul closed with this message.

Jesus said it was at the center of God’s greatest two commandments.

I am starting to think they may have meant it!

Daily Reflection & Dialogue

How would you close your letter to the Western church today?