When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:10-14
Scripture Notes
Andrew Murray wrote a book titled ‘Absolute Surrender’. One of the chapters in this book is wisely named ‘The Fruit of the Spirit is Love’. If you have not read this book, I would highly recommend it. In this chapter, he starts by saying it is a fruit of the Spirit. This tells us that we must have accepted Christ as our Savior and leader of our lives. You may think this is a given, but we may not realize it’s the beginning of understanding what true love really is. This means it does not always come naturally.
True love has been around since before the beginning of time. It began with God and His love for His Son. His one and only Son. He is our example. God has no selfishness. God keeps nothing for Himself. He is always giving. He gave us His Son so that we might be adopted as sons and daughters into the family of the Holy God. He gave us the Holy Spirit to be our encourager, guide, one who reveals things to us from Scripture, and is our intercessor. In more practical terms, He has given us our jobs, homes, everything in our homes, children, grandchildren, life, breath, etc.
Mankind needs all these things, but why? Because mankind needs love. We all feel love in different ways. Some of us feel love through affirmations, gifts, time, touch, and acts of service for someone (5 Love Languages). As we receive love from God, friends, and family, we can take what we receive and give it to others. There are many people we come into contact with who need a moment of our time, even a simple hug.
Love is strong, powerful, and meaningful. Love can conquer loneliness, depression, and fear. More than that, love can conquer selfishness, opening us up to be giving, caring, and supportive, and to provide for those in need. Love has been given to us by God. We are then to take that example and give love to others. That is the new commandment, the one commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Taking on this commandment to love others is a great responsibility. We can make our Christian doctrines and creeds, but they are not more important than love. We can speak the truth directly, yet forget to speak it in love. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” This tells us exactly what the love of God looks like and the gift God has given us. It also shows how we should understand and show love.
Paul now requires the Corinthians to apply this teaching. He instructs the church(s) of Corinth to take great care of Timothy while he is with them. Paul wants Timothy to be cared for and sent off on his journey in peace because he is doing the work of God. He then speaks of Apollos, who will be there as well when he can. For the Corinthian church(s) to aid and support such workers in Christ’s name, they needed to be on guard, standing firm in the faith, be courageous and strong, and, most of all, do everything in love. When we enter into such a calling, as the Corinthians did, there are things around us that can take our focus away. Guard yourselves and put on the full armor of God daily (Eph. 6:11).
Whether we are at church, at work, or in our neighborhood, we are to do everything in love. Whatever God puts before us, we are to do for God’s glory and in love.
By P.D. Deckard
MEMORY VERse
Ernest-Ange Duez. Flowers (Fleurs), 1894. National Gallery of Art
Related Verses
More verses about love in abundance:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- What can you do this week to show love to someone?
- Who is the most difficult person for you to love? How can you show this person love, even if it is inconvenient?
- How can you glorify God by following His command of loving one another?
- Is there an area of your life that is being tested, and how can you stand firm, remain steadfast, and not compromise your faith?
- How can you rely more on God’s stench when you are lacking the courage to live out your faith?
MANÁ 
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