Food For the Day Daily Devotional for FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 16:12-24

12. Now, about brother Apollos. I have often encouraged him to visit you with the other believers, but he is not completely convinced that he should go at this time. When he gets the chance, however, he will go.

13. Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong.

14. Do all your work in love.

15. You know about Stephanas and his family; they are the first Christian converts in Achaia and have given themselves to the service of God’s people. I beg you, my friends,

16. to follow the leadership of such people as these, and of anyone else who works and serves with them.

17. I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they have made up for your absence

18. and have cheered me up, just as they cheered you up. Such men as these deserve notice.

19. The churches in the province of Asia send you their greetings; Aquila and Priscila and the church that meets in their house send warm Christian greetings.

20. All the believers here send greetings. Greet one another with the kiss of peace.

21. With my own hand I write this: Greetings from Paul.

22. Whoever does not love the Lord-a curse on him! Marana tha-Our Lord, come!

23. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.

(Good News Translation Holy Bible)

TOPIC: CALL TO STEADFASTNESS IN THE FAITH AND LOVE

On a final note, the Apostle encouraged the church to be steadfast in the faith and do all things in love. He said that they should be courageous, strong and watchful as they relate well with other workers who had served among them.

He added that we should also treat ministers who had worked among us with respect, just as those who worked in the name of Jesus (vs. 10-16). At the beginning, the church in Corinth almost caused divisions among these servants of God (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). But in closing his charge, Paul made the church understand that they were all partners serving the Lord Jesus (vs. 11-18).

Some ministers today see themselves as being in competition with others and try to outdo them. Paul saw this differently and was always recommending them to the church for honour and recognition. See a couple like Aquila and Priscila together with the church in their house (v. 19).

Paul lived and worked from their house when he first went to Corinth (Acts 18:2, 3). Steadfastness in the faith is an all embracing life of consistencies by serving in love in our dealings with others, especially in the society we find ourselves. The chapter closes with the admonition of ‘love’ admonition the crown of spiritual gift.

QUESTION: How steadfast are you in faith and love in your daily Christian living?

PRAYER: Grant me, Oh Lord, the grace to be steadfast in my faith and relate in love with fellow men, in Jesus name, Amen.