We live in a world where most are very short sited. Their lives are so cluttered with appointments, work, hobbies, and whatever else pops up, that they fail to look at the big picture of life. In I Corinthians 16:13, we are commanded to watch, stand fast in the faith, and be strong. So, what are we to be watching for, standing on, and how are we to be strong?
I Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
Our first command in this verse is to watch. We are to be aware of the temptations that are around us. We are to be on guard for false doctrines. Many around us know just enough Bible to twist the scriptures and make them sound like they mean something different from what God intended. God wants us to pay attention, and not get tripped up by the things of this world. We are to keep our focus on the big picture of eternity. We need to focus on the second coming of Christ so that we will be ready. In Matthew 24:41-42, we are given the example of two women working in the field. At the return of Christ, one was ready one was not. The same command is given in Matthew25:13, and Mark 13:35.
In II Timothy 4:5, the command is extended for us to do the work of an evangelist, which means, that while we are watching for the Lord to return we are to be telling others about Him. There is work to do, not a command to sit and watch. In Luke 21:36, we are to watch and pray so that we will be found worthy to escape all the snares that Satan may throw at us, to pull us away from our greatest mission. We need to stay focused, and true to God so that we may stand before Jesus one day and not be ashamed. Watch means being vigilant, paying attention always while keeping our focus on eternal things.
Matthew 24:41-42 “Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
II Timothy 4:5 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Luke 21:36 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
The second part of our key verse is to “stand firm in the faith.” We need to know what we believe based on the word of God. The key to that is to study. In II Timothy 2:15, we are commanded to study. We study to understand the truth of God’s word. We study to know the answers to life’s questions and share them with others. We study so that we can correctly apply the truth. We must know the truth if we are going to be able to stand on the truth. To stand firm you must be convinced of the truth, and that only comes from knowing God and the truths he has revealed to us in scripture.
My faith in Christ is based on the knowledge I have of Him in the Bible. It is also based on the difference He has made in my life. As a believer, when I put my faith in Him and received the salvation of my soul, I also received the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within me. As I read God’s word, the Holy Spirit illuminates His word to my soul. It is no longer words on a page it is life to my soul.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. “
As the verse proceeds, we are told to “quit you like men, be strong.” This phrase refers to growing up. Don’t act like children. In Greek, the original language of the text, it means to behave like a man. God tells men to be the head of their homes. To be responsible, leading toward what pleases God, to provide for their families, to be brave and courageous. This command was not just for men, but for all Christians to act courageously standing ready to live for Jesus. The greatest man to ever live was the Godman, Jesus. He is the one we are to seek to be like.
Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
We as Christians should take this charge seriously. As time marches on toward the return of Christ, we need to proceed bravely with everything in us to tell others about Jesus and live with the Holy Spirit guiding us to be like Jesus.
