Day 30 — Be Men of Courage

“Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. Do everything in love.”

— 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (BSB)

We’ve made it to the last day! And Paul gives us a perfect summary of everything we’ve learned. It’s like a coach’s final speech before the big game.

“Be on the alert.” Pay attention. Stay awake. Don’t be careless like Samson. Watch out for sin crouching at the door, for bad company, for worthless things and for anything that would pull you away from God.

“Stand firm in the faith.” Don’t waver like the people at Mount Carmel. Don’t turn aside to the right or to the left, like Josiah. Keep trusting God and following Jesus, no matter what.

“Be men of courage.” Like Caleb, who trusted God when everyone else was afraid. Like Jonathan, who climbed the cliff. Like Stephen, who spoke the truth and forgave. Like David, who owned his mistakes. Courage isn’t feeling no fear. It’s doing what’s right even when you’re afraid.

“Be strong.” Not in your own strength, but in God’s. Remember: “It is God who arms me with strength.” Strong enough to control your temper. Strong enough to walk away from revenge. Strong enough to stand up for the kid nobody likes, and to protect and respect girls. Strong enough to cry, to confess and to keep your word.

And then Paul adds one more thing, and it might be the most important of all: “Do everything in love.”

That’s what keeps strength from turning into something ugly. Strength without love becomes bullying. Courage without love becomes showing off. Standing firm without love becomes being stubborn and mean.

But strength with love? That looks like Jesus. The strongest man who ever lived was also the most loving. He used His strength to serve, protect and save.

That’s the kind of man God is growing you to be. Not someday, but starting now.

You’re a son of the King. Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be a man of courage. Be strong. And do everything in love.

Think about it: Which of Paul’s five commands do you most need to work on? Which one are you already growing in?

Try this: Write 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 on a card and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day. Memorize it this week.

Dear God, help me be alert, stand firm in the faith, be a man of courage, be strong and do everything in love. Thank You for making me Your son. Grow me into the man You want me to be, strong and loving, like Jesus. In His name, Amen.