Take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 16 before reading the devotional below.
In this final chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul is wrapping up and giving instructions for how they should receive coming missionaries. He talks about his plans loosely, always willing to say that his steps are determined by God. We also find out that Paul did not physically write his own letter, but instead dictated it to a scribe of some sort. In verse 21 the handwriting changes and Paul’s large, messy scrawl is apparent in the original letter.
Let’s zoom in on verses 13 and 14. These brief verses have a feel of urgency to them, laid right in the middle of a variety of practical instructions. “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” Paul is summing up the entire letter here, and it’s a great reminder of how we are to live the Christian life. Stay in the supernatural battle. Don’t forget the Gospel. Take spiritual risks. And just in case you have forgotten, if you don’t love then the whole thing is useless.
Here’s your freedom for today:
You can go beyond the ordinary.
There are so many books, movies, and themes of humanity that revolve around stepping out into another type of world to do something brave. These plots have the ordinary people doing their mundane thing, but behind that is a world that has much more at stake. Paul’s words here remind us that choosing to follow Jesus carries you into a world that is far beyond ordinary. Battles are fought and wars lost and won. You were made for more. You have supernatural weapons, the most powerful one being love. Is this what you think about when you wake up in the morning? Is this how you are living your life? Don’t settle for ordinary — step into something bigger.