Stand Firm in Faith, Be Courageous & Do Everything in Love (1 Corinthians 16:13–14)

In this encouraging episode of Radio Cape Pulpit, Prof. Dion Forster reflects on the challenges of living as a Christian in a world that often pressures us to conform. He shares his love for worship – from contemporary praise to the formal elegance of a reformed liturgy – and acknowledges how easy it is for the rhythms of our lives to look no different from those of unbelievers. Quoting 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, he challenges listeners to "be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and strong" – and then to "do everything in love." He connects this to the current tensions around migrants in South Africa, noting that 86% of South Africans claim to be Christian, yet our behaviour often falls short. As a migrant himself in the Netherlands, he speaks with empathy about the experience of being a stranger. He encourages believers to speak with love and dignity about others, to reject violence, and to live by the fruit of the Spirit. He ends with a reminder from his friend Nico Koopman: "Human rights come from right people" – when we are right with God, we can be right with God's people.