I Corinthians 16

 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love” (v13-14). Paul recognized that following Christ was a spiritual battle. Paul apparently wrote this letter while ministering in Ephesus, and he wanted to remain there because “a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (v9). The “wide door” opened the by the Holy Spirit co-existed with Satan’s opposition.

 Obedience to Christ – love, faithfulness, honesty, self-sacrifice – opposes the ways of the world. We need God’s strength to “stand firm”.