Read I Corinthians 16 Collection and Conclusion

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong (:13). Let all that you do be done with love. (I Corinthians 16:13-14)

Drawing from a military concept; Paul gives us five (speak of grace) imperatives (commands and thus not optional for our lives).

First, be watchful. Like a soldier who is to stay watch, and be continually on our guard, lest he be surprised by his enemies. Jesus commanded us to watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41) For the enemy walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1Peter5:8).

Second, stand fast in the faith. It means to keep to one’s ground, position or rank even, if need be, to resist so as to remain unmoved. In watchfulness, we see the vulnerability we are in and the temptations surrounding us to cause us to compromise. Paul had at various times instructed the believers to stand fast. He wrote to the believers in Galatia to stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made them free (Galatians 5:1); to those at Philippi to stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27) and to those in Thessalonica the teaching of the apostles (II Thessalonians 2:15)

Third, be brave, “to act like a man.” “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7) For the one whom we trust, who save us from sin and summation, who is the Resurrection and the Life, is with us even now to eternality. He has overcome the world and given us His peace (John 16:33). Be led by the peace of God in decision you make out of love, faith and hope not despair, disappointment and discouragement.

Fourth, be strong. This is what we received as we wait upon the Lord, “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Having put on the armour of the Lord, believers stand strong in the Lord and power of His might (Ephesians 6:10)

Finally, be loving. While in all the watching, the standing fast, being brave in the strength of the Lord; they are empowered to do all those things in a meek, humble spirit of love.

Prayer: Lord, I will stay vigilant as the enemy roams about seeking whom he may devour. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, I put on Your armour will stand fast, be courageous and with Your strength overcome the enemy as I am motivated by love.

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