1 Corinthians 16

 

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all things be done with charity (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

 

Five great responsibilities for the child of God are revealed to us in this passage from 1 Corinthians 16. If we are going to be successful in our pursuit for the prize of the high calling of God (Phil. 3:14), it is imperative that we give heed to these responsibilities.

 

WATCH YE: Be awake, alert, vigilant--watch heart (Prov. 4:23); thoughts (Phil. 4;8); affections (Col. 3:1-2); words (Matt. 12:37); speech (Titus 2:8); actions (Col. 3:17).

 

STAND FAST IN THE FAITH: uphold sound doctrine (Titus 2:1; 2 Tim. 1:13). Standing fast means to hold on to everything God has commanded of us with our entire being. Call it steadfastness, persistence, endurance, even stubbornness, call it what you will, it is essential to our spiritual well being (1 Cor. 15:58; Eph. 6:13-14)

 

QUIT YOU LIKE MEN: Don't behave like children--abandon childhood tendencies (1 Cor. 14:20; 1 Cor. 13:11). Grow up spiritually (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).

 

BE STRONG: Be of good courage--fear no enemy (Ephesians 6:10; Isaiah 12:2; Proverbs 24:5; 1 Timothy 6:12). Spiritual strength will only come from proper growth (2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 4:14-15;  2 Peter 1:5-11).

 

LET ALL THINGS BE DONE IN LOVE: There is no place for bitterness, jealousy or envy in the Lord's church or between brethren (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:13-18; 1 John 4:10-11, 20-21; Ephesians 4:25-32; 1 Corinthians 13:13)

 

Each of these five responsibilities are a great challenge to us. Will we accept the challenge and be successful in our quest for a home in the land where joys shall never end? Only time will tell.

 

Charles Hicks