We tend to think in contrasts and opposites: black - white, hot - cold, day - night, up - down, right - left. It sets up an either/or scenario where a choice must be made to go with one or the other. The Apostle gives us a bold list: be on guard, stand firm, be courageous, do everything in love.
When it comes to standing up for your faith, righteousness, holy sexuality, the family, the sanctity of life, and biblical truth, sometimes doing 'everything in love' doesn’t show up in the mix. However, it must be front and center or it’s not the heart and mission of Jesus.
Be on guard? Yes! Stand firm? Yes! Be courageous? Yes! Be strong? Yes! Bold? Yes! Resolute? Yes! Outspoken? Yes! Fearless? Yes! Confident? Yes! Powerful? Yes! Daring? Yes! Unwavering? Yes! And... Do everything, i.e., do it all in, by, and through LOVE. Stay standing and keep loving.
Living Up!
Pastor Jimmy
