Therefore, Stand Firm

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

“Therefore”  Whenever a verse of scripture begins with that word, it’s always good to back and see what the prior verses say, because the ‘therefore’ indicates that there is something good, something powerful, something that brings encouragement and deliverance!

What could position us, as believers, to stand firm?  What could empower us to work for the Lord, giving ourselves fully?  

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 say “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Therefore!!  Because we have victory in Jesus, we can stand firm.  Because we have victory in Christ, we can be strong enough to let nothing move us.  Because we have victory in Christ, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.

Do our sons and daughters live with this confidence?  Do they know the power that accompanies the victory that Jesus provides...have they embraced that victory? Do they live in light of the ‘therefore’?

Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters know and claim Jesus’ victory over sin and death as their own.  Pray that they stand firm and devote themselves to working for the Lord with all of their being.

“Father, thank you for the victory we have in Jesus.  Thank you that the sting of death is not something we need to fear any longer.  Jesus, You are our Victory in this life and for eternity.  Praise You for your wonderful gift and provision of forgiveness, mercy and grace.  I ask that You would infuse (name) with confidence today.  Equip them to serve You well, with their whole heart and mind and to be an effective witness.  Help (name) to stand firm in their faith and to grab hold of the confidence You provide.  May our family be a testimony to others of the goodness and life-giving presence of God.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

Pray without ceasing.