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Defend with Love
Tim Savage13Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.Be strong.14And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16
This was Paul’s instruction to the believers in Corinth and although written over 2000 years ago, it’s more relevant today than ever. Believers have never been more attacked and reviled in the US as now; we are starting to understand what the early Christians endured. Applying these simple, but difficult, directions to my life will make a profound difference in every facet of my life – work, home, school, and play. I must represent Jesus to all that I encounter each day, I hope people notice something different about me just in the way I carry myself, or respond to a situation, drive on the freeway, react to a setback or celebrate a victory.
Be on guard, stand firm, be courageous, be strong – these are all actions to defend something valuable. I have to better defend my faith and my God. I am usually content to hold my tongue and be quiet during a confrontation, whether that’s on social media or in person. I must represent Jesus and stand firm on my beliefs, but everything I do must be in love, so my actions must be tempered with compassion and caring. Now that’s the trick, we must courageously defend, but also build bridges to those that attack us, because ultimately our assignment is to help bring others to Christ.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for wisdom to live for You, to be both courageous and loving, one who defends but also extends the olive branch of peace. These are sometimes not easily reconciled but in You and through You all things are possible. Please guide me to fulfill Your will in Your way.
In Jesus name,
Amen
