"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave..."
Text: 1 Corinthians 16:13
HALLMARKS OF THE CHRISTIAN
There are many hallmarks of a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. The following text highlights some of these.
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
Let all that you do be done with love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
FIVE FEATURES HIGHLIGHTED
Paul highlighted five hallmark features that he desired the Corinthians to exhibit in their life.
1. “Watch”
a) This was a word that the Lord Jesus emphasised to His Disciples (Matthew 26:41).
b) This was a word that Paul certainly practised in his own life and ministry.
2. “Stand fast in the faith”
a) The Lord Jesus sought to teach His disciples how they ought to be strong in the faith.
b) Paul urged the churches everywhere to stand fast in their faith.
i) Against false teachings
ii) Against the Evil One
iii) Against the world
3. “Be brave”
a) Cowardice has no place in the heart of the believer.
b) The word suggests that the believer must “be a man”.
c) The Lord Jesus certainly urged His disciples to fight fear and to exercise faith.
4. “Be strong”
a) This strength is to be found in the Lord.
b) This strength is available to all who would seek it in prayer.
c) This was Paul’s prayer for the churches (Ephesians 1:15-19).
5. “Let all things be done in love”
a) We are reminded of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13.
b) Love was extolled as a great virtue to be cultivated.
c) It was even greater than any of the spiritual gifts that God had given to the Church.
d) The ramifications must be evidenced in the things that we do.
e) The practice of love is once again encouraged.