Steel And Velvet

-April 23, 2022-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”

(1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

We must be strong like steel. Paul exhorts the saints to do four things: watch, which means to be on guard against the attacks of the devil; stand fast in the faith, meaning to have a strong faith like an anchor in turbulent seas; be brave, is having to courage in a fearful and dangerous world; be strong, for our strength comes from the Lord not ourselves. We are soldiers of the cross. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 says, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

We must also have a softer, gentler side, to be like velvet. Velvet is one of the softest fabrics. Paul says, “Let all that you do be done with love.” More people are won to Christ by sincere love than from fear. People want to see we care before they will listen as we share. It is quite a challenge to love everyone, treating them with kindness, respect, and gentleness. There are some people who are very hard to love. The Lord will help us to love them as He has has loved us.

Paul spent eighteen months in Corinth preaching and teaching the Word of God. He wrote two fairly lengthy epistles to the saints. Today’s text is part of his final exhortations in 1 Corinthians 16. These verses represent a microcosm of the Christian life: a combination of steel, that is strength and toughness, and velvet, that is love. It reminds me of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless (or innocent) as doves.”

So whether we are men or women, young or old, mature believers or a new Christians; these truths will serve us well all throughout our lives. Our victory comes through Christ’s power and His love. Let’s take up the challenge to live like Jesus. These are great verses to commit to memory and to practice.

Have a blessed day being steel and velvet. Stay safe and healthy.

In His surpassing love,

Dean