Apostle Paul delivers five encouraging and heartening directives at the conclusion of this bitter scolding letter. “Be on your guard” was a phrase Paul received from Jesus. (Matthew 10:17, 16:6, 11-12; Mark 13:9, 23, 33; Luke 12:1, 15) I am a soldier on the wall of my soul and body seeking to repel the enemy’s spies, soldiers, seducers, and thieves.
“Stand firm in the faith” was a common call among the first church. (15:38; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 24; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 6:14; Philippians 1:27, 4:1; Colossians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; James 5:8). I am assigned to the front line, facing the enemy who has weapons in hand, anger and hate in their countenance, and threatening with forward charges.
“Be men of courage; be strong” was the Lord’s message to Joshua and Israel as they were about to cross into the promised land. (Deuteronomy 31:6-7, 23; Joshua 1:6-7, 9, 18, 10:25). I am a soldier sent out into the world to fight the good fight. Not with weapons of this world, but with faith, hope, and love. (1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:18, 6:12; 2 Titus 4:7).
“Do everything in love” is Jesus’ command, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Paul went into great detail about the nature of love in chapter 13. The battles are fought in love. The war was won by love. In all these, a Christian differentiates themselves from the world. Be encouraged as we continue onward and upward.
