1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
I often get questions or hear Christians talk about how hard it is to figure out how to live the Christian life. Truth is, it’s not hard to KNOW, it’s hard to DO.
Today’s verse, in typical Apostle Paul fashion, punches home a simple yet profound list concerning the Christian life.
Watch: be alert, be on guard… Christianity is not passive. Like a solider on guard duty, there are multitudes of enemy out there who would like nothing better than to see you destroyed in all ways: physically, financially, spiritually and emotionally. The enemy isn’t passive… they don’t take a break; they don’t sleep in battle. Christians often do to their demise.
Stand fast: literally means to drive a stake in to something. What? Into “the faith”. Not YOUR faith (which is often taught today). Drive a stake into THE FAITH. That means the Truth, the Bible, the Word, Christianity. It is your rock, your foundation, your measuring stick, your standard. Anchor to it, tie yourself to it, cement yourself to it… drive a stake into the Faith.
Be brave: there is a lot a spiritual cowardice in Christianity today. We let the world tell us what is right and wrong and somehow reinterpret (or ignore) Scripture to fit. We let the culture silence us about holiness and Hell. We let political correctness marginalize us with relentless condemnations of “judgmental” and “intolerant”. Be brave, God is on your side. Be brave, you’ve already be declared victorious. Be brave, Truth is on your side.
Be strong: God gives us everything we need by His divine power to be spiritually and emotionally healthy, vibrant, active… STRONG. Avail yourself of what Jesus has already provided. A weak Christian is a Christian relying on their own strength. A strong Christian knows strength is only found in the resources God provides.
Think It Over: Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. If you need it simple and clear, there you go.