Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

Do you remember the old black and white swashbuckling movies? Many times, with swords drawn one of the sword bearers would shout, “En Garde!” That cry would get everyone’s attention in a hurry.

With “be on your guard” God gives us the very same admonition. Watch out! Stand ready. We need to always be aware of Satan’s plan to knock us down. Our spiritual eyes must be open to Satan’s schemes. When someone tries our patience or difficult circumstances arise, Satan would like nothing more than for us to fall apart so as to tarnish our testimony for God.

God goes on to say, “stand firm in the faith.” Stand firm, plant your feet, be ready for whatever move may come next. Interestingly enough the verse says “the” faith not “your own” faith. “The” faith to me implicates the faith God established and wants us all to have as believers in him. That kind of faith rests on his shoulders not our own. Our challenge is to hold on to that faith tightly.

The words “be courageous; be strong” take my mind back to the swordsman – sword drawn and whisking through the air, keeping the enemy away. A person would need great physical strength to battle in this manner and even more courage.

As we take courage and strengthen our hearts and minds in him, as we stay on guard against Satan, the very next verse tells us how to live out this courageous faith – do everything in love. God gives us the perfect plan to ward off the enemy while at the same time drawing others to himself. Do it in love.

Our swashbuckling selves come out against Satan, but our kind, godly, loving selves come out to the world. So, let’s go -- En Garde!

Father, thank you for the clear instructions you give us in your Word. Help us to fulfill them in love with courage and strength and faith. Amen.

Susan Partida