Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong– 1 Corinthians 16:13
As Paul concludes his first, and scathing, letter to the church at Corinth, he leaves them with a rapid-fire set of short directives.
“Watch!” Paul says. You have already succumbed to many of Satan’s lies and temptations, but it is never too late to shut the gate and to watch for his attacks. It is never too late to vigilantly defend your heart and mind and life and family.
Stand fast in the faith. In the Bible God has been gracious enough to give us the perfect revelation of truth. Do not take it for granted. Do not taint it because you are too lazy to learn it or too proud to submit to it. Stand fast in the cohesive and complete faith of Jesus Christ and his gospel.
Do not be children in your understanding, in your strength, or in your dedication to duty. Grow in grace and in your knowledge of Jesus Christ, and live your life according to the maturity that is becoming a child of God.
Be strong. We might be aggravated with someone who, when we are feeling low or discouraged, simply says, “Be strong.” And, yet, there is wisdom in simply reminding ourselves of our responsibility before God.
Do not be intimidated. Do not give up or give in. Be strong for the cause of Christ.
