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 ESV
Strength and love. What a strange combination in today’s society! When was the last time they were both in the picture together, not as opposing forces.
This is one of the huge mistakes our world makes. We believe that strength and love are opposite, you can not love and be manly, strong or firm. You are either one or the other.
But! Paul makes a very important point in this verse, yes we are meant to be strong, and stand firm in the faith, BUT, we are meant to do this with love and through love, not against it.
It is important to note, the love Paul is talking about here is not your typical wishy-washy sort of love we see romanticised in the media today. Here one day, gone the next. This is actually love, forged in the fire of the cross. The only force which can withstand anything. This is the sort of love which brings strength to the battle, purpose to the solider and hope to the wary. This is the sort of love which had the power to create the universe yet then die for it.
It is powerful, indescribable, unmeasurable, Almighty and all consuming. This is no wishy-washy sort of love, but rather a fire that burns and changes lives, families and worlds!
♡
Musings by Tee 