1 CORINTHIANS 16.13-14
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
REFLECTION
A Christian is always in danger, therefore should ever be on the watch. He should be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and never desert or give it up. By this faith alone he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of temptation.
- BE WATCHFUL – Against all your seen and unseen enemies.
We find many instances in the bible where we are told to be alert and awake. 1 Peter 5.8 warns us to be watchful for the adversary, the devil, prowls like a lion looking to eat us. 2 Peter 3.10 tells us to be watchful because the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Two completely different reasons, but both just as important. We must be aware and alert to the things that will shake our faith, trip our walk and at the same time always be ready for the Lord’s return… - STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH – Seeing and trusting him that is invisible.
With the current (really not so current) climate against God and His followers, it’s more and more difficult to say that we are bible believing Christians. There is a value on political correctness and tolerance that makes us believe that how we are seen and/or accepted by people is more important than stating as Job did in chapter 19.25: “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.” - ACT LIKE MEN – With courage and patience.
Now though it would be very easy to take this as it being for men only, the apostle means it to be understood that we must be courageous. The best example of this is found in Joshua 1.9; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” If that’s not affirmation that we have nothing to fear, then I don’t know what is… God is with us WHEREVER WE GO. - BE STRONG – To do and suffer all his will.
As stated in the reflection, as Christians we will always be in some type of danger. Whether it be physical, social or emotional, we will always experience some type of suffering because of our faith in Christ. We must be strong though because God is with us always. If the above verse isn’t enough for you, check out what Romans 8.18 says; “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the GLORY that is to be revealed to us.” Whatever suffering we experience is fleeting and we have His glory to look forward to…
Conclusion
All that to say that alone, this is tough. Facing temptations, going through problems, not understanding why we suffer isn’t easy when we take God out of the equation. But with God with us and the promise of the Glory to come, this is nothing…
Watch. Stand. Courage. Strength.
Romans 8.31b “ If God is for us, who can be against us?”