Daily Devotional for Thursday, August 28

Paul’s Challenges

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity,” 1 Corinthians 16:13, 14.

We do well to consider our calling as disciples of Christ, a call to arms. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). What an honor to be chosen to serve as a soldier of Christ! However, are we willing to endure the trials that come with service? Are we truly prepared to endure hardness for the sake of Christ and the gospel? God’s people are in a continual battle against enemy forces, and we have been given everything we need to fight successfully (Ephesians 6:13-18). So why are so many soldiers deserting their posts?

Paul gave some concluding challenges to the church at Corinth that would serve us well to heed today. First he said, watch. A good soldier is watchful and alert because the enemy is near, waiting to pounce. This is the same message Jesus gave to His disciples, watch and pray (Matthew 26:41). Next, Paul exhorted the church to stand fast in the faith. A good soldier does not give up his territory or leave his post. Ephesians 6 told us over and over to stand! Stand fast and stay grounded in the truth of God’s Word. Paul then said to be men, courageous and strong.

Lastly, all things are to be done in love. Although this may not seem to fit with the military theme, it absolutely does. Brothers in arms have great love for one another as they protect each other to the point of giving their lives if necessary. This is how we are to be in the Lord’s church. We are fighting together with love for one another, soldiers of Christ to the end.

REFLECTION

“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).

Darla Goodrum