Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (The Message)

Some folks are stubborn. You can probably think of one or two people right now who are hardheaded. Maybe it’s you. Some people get something in their head and it is virtually impossible for them to change their mind or point of view. Facts or logic has no effect on what they think and do. And if you try to offer an opposing perspective they will often dig in even more.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” The quote from Lincoln says it well. Before standing firm, one should make sure to put their feet in the right place and that would include in the right direction. I might be standing in the right place but if I’m not facing the right direction, I can miss seeing important things.

Some believers in Jesus take a stand for the Gospel. They are unbendable and relentless in their stand for the Truth and yet they are some of the most unloving people. They may be defending the faith, but their words and actions even towards others who claim the name of Jesus are in stark contrast to Jesus’ command to love.

From the scripture in Corinthians, I take two things. I am to be resolute and steadfast but also be a person of love.

In these days of political rhetoric and upheaval, let people know us by our love.