Let All That You Do Be Done in Love

May 20, 2023

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

To today’s culture, it seems that these verses Paul wrote through the Holy Spirit present a paradox. The world wants to portray these qualities as two mutually exclusive camps. One camp is watchful, stands firm in the faith, acts like men, and is strong, but they miss the mark when it comes to love. The other camp loves, accepts, and supports those around them no matter what, but compromises their faith and moral values. 

Sadly, the idea of these qualities opposing each other is not purely fiction. All of us in our natural state gravitate toward one side or the other. We need the grace of God in our lives to truly live out both sides of this equation. 

How does this apply to us? As men and women submitted to God, being willing and ready to stand in the breach, it is crucial to have this truth at work in our lives. 

As we train and prepare to defend life, it’s easy to see the violent attacks occurring all too often and develop a sense of anger and hatred. We can become angry at the attackers and angry at those that we perceive to be “like them”. 

Personally, I believe that there is solid, middle ground found in following Christ. I believe there is a Biblical worldview that balances both the preparation to defend those around us from harm, while at the same time not hesitating to step in and render medical aid to the attacker in the hopes that he or she may have the opportunity to hear the gospel. 

This certainly isn’t possible without the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. We will always tend toward one side of this dichotomy, or even fluctuate between them at various points throughout our lives. 

I believe that God is both the God of the Old Testament and the New Testament. He commended the Israelite Phinehas (see Numbers 25), while also instructing Peter that whoever takes the sword will also perish by the sword (see Matthew 26). 

We can’t pick and choose which Scriptures we like and ignore the rest. We can learn and know God’s heart by knowing His Word. 

My encouragement to you is to love your family, to prepare to defend those around you, but also to gain God’s perspective and His heart for all of His image bearers. 

There is a way to walk in grace, holiness, and love. That way is Jesus Christ. 

Stay in Him! 

Be blessed, 

- Isaac Costley