08/16/2011
Author: Gordon Douglas
What Should I Do?
I was somewhat startled by the verses that I had just read. Paul, out of nowhere, sticks five imperatives (imperative = do this!) in the middle of nowhere. Here are the verses as I read them.
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (ESV)
I was struck especially by the phrase ‘act like men’. ‘Be a man’ can be used in a lot of ways in our culture; to manipulate, to challenge and even to encourage. So I went to my commentaries to see what these verses could mean. Here’s a summary of what I discovered:
13 Be on (your) guard. γρηγορειτε (Be watchful) – There is an enemy about…or be watchful because Christ is returning. ‘Watch out’ is a good warning when you are about to endanger yourself. Our enemy wants to hurt and destroy us. Living for Christ can be dangerous; so watch out.
Stand firm in the faith. 13 στηκετε εν τη πιστει – There is the possibility of falling…trust God and be obedient. ‘Don’t fall’ is a good warning too; standing firm in the faith means that I have to be careful not to fall. I can easily fall if I follow my own ways and not Christ’s. Trust and obedience is an essential part of living for Christ.
Be courageous. Ανδριζεσθε (act like men, be men of courage) Be responsible, be active, not passive, be a spiritual leader, be mature. ‘Be a mature leader’ is a good exhortation - telling me to grow up, be mature, responsible and spiritually minded. As I act in these ways God can use me positively to impact others.
Be strong. Κραταιουσθε – (or be made strong) Be energetic, don’t be weak; be strong in Christ’s power. ‘Act in Christ’s power’ is great advice. Only as I rely on Christ can I accomplish spiritual good. Help me Lord to be strong in Christ.
14 And do everything with love. παντα υμων εν αγαπη γινεσθω – Love, love, love…is the hallmark of Christianity. ‘Let love permeate everything’ is our final command. Without love we are not who Christ wants us to be. Love is to be the atmosphere of growth and ministry for every Christian. Wow, what a huge job it is to do everything in love.
These five brief commands tell us to watch out, don’t fall, be a mature leader, act in Christ’s power and let love permeate everything. I’m no longer startled, but now that I know what it means I now have to do it. Ignorance is not always bliss. Knowing what I should do as a follower of Christ is the best way to be able to do it and please God. And I know that I need Christ power to do what he commands.
Father help me to live in such a way that I please you, Amen.
